The environmental approval includes an 800km high voltage direct current transmission line and a Darwin converter site. Credit: Kobzev Dmitry / Shutterstock.

SunCable’s AA [Australia-Asia] PowerLink project has obtained principal environmental approval from the government of Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) and the NT Environment Protection Authority.

This is a key step in advancing the project towards a final investment decision (FID).

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The approval allows SunCable to proceed with the necessary development, commercial and engineering activities.

Set to become one of the major economic and industrial developments in Australian history, AAPowerLink aims to create the largest renewable energy precinct in the Barkly region of the Northern Territory.

The project will deliver 4GW of green electricity in two stages: 900MW in Stage 1 and an additional 3GW in Stage 2 for Darwin, with1.75GW for Singapore via a 4,300km subsea cable.

The environmental approval encompasses critical aspects of the project, including a solar generation facility and a large-scale storage facility at Powell Creek with 10GW capacity.

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It also includes an 800km high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line and a Darwin converter site, culminating in a subsea HVDC cable to the limit of Australian waters.

The approval follows extensive consultations, including four periods of Territory-wide public engagement and continuous stakeholder interactions since 2020.

With the FID expected in 2027, the project aims to commence electricity supply in the early 2030s.

Economically, the AAPowerLink project will contribute A$20bn ($13.5bn) to the Northern Territory during its construction and its first 35 years of operation.

During the construction phase, the project is expected to support 6,800 direct and indirect jobs annually, with a peak workforce of 14,300.

The AAPowerLink project has been recognised as a major project by the NT government since 2019 and by the Commonwealth government since 2020.

Infrastructure Australia has also listed the project as investment-ready on its priority initiative list.

SunCable Australia managing director Cameron Garnsworthy stated: “SunCable is delighted to receive environmental approval from the Northern Territory government to proceed with our flagship Australia-Asia Power Link project.

“This approval allows us to progress the development, commercial, and engineering activities required to advance the project to final investment decision targeted in 2027. SunCable is founded with the belief that Australia can lead the world’s energy transition.”