Australia-Asia Power Link
{{Short description|Electricity infrastructure project}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox power transmission line
| name = Australia–Asia Power Link
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| map =Australia-Asia Power Link map.svg
| country = Australia
| state = Northern Territory
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| owner = Sun Cable
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| expected = 2027 (projected){{cite web |title=Power Generation {{!}} Singapore {{!}} Sun Cable |url=https://www.suncable.sg/ |website=Sun Cable |access-date=24 November 2020 |date=24 November 2020 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809190537/https://www.suncable.sg/ |url-status=dead }}
2030 (Darwin)
| est = {{AUD}}35 billion
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| capacity = 17-20 GW
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The Australia–Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink) is a proposed electricity infrastructure project that is planned to include the world's largest solar plant, the world's largest battery, and the world's longest submarine power cable.
Initial plans forecast that a new solar farm in the Northern Territory of Australia would produce up to 20 gigawatts of electricity, most of which would be exported to Singapore, and at a later point Indonesia, by a {{cvt|4,300|km|mi|adj=on}} 3 GW HVDC transmission line.{{Cite web |title=Our Projects {{!}} SunCable |url=https://www.suncable.energy/our-projects |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=www.suncable.energy |language=en}} A large battery would store energy in order to level energy availability as sunlight varies throughout the day.{{Cite news|date=2020-07-30|title=Australia Fast Tracks Approval Process for $16 Billion Solar Power Export Project|language=en-US|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-renewables-idUSKCN24V0S7|access-date=2020-11-03|issn=0362-4331}} AAPowerLink has been developed by an Australian company Sun Cable, initially backed by Andrew Forrest and Mike Cannon-Brookes. It was projected to begin construction in mid-2023, with operation starting in early 2026 and completion by late 2027, and estimated to add {{AUD}}8 billion to the economy of the Northern Territory.{{Cite web|title= Sun Cable announces global expert team to deliver the Australia-Asia PowerLink project| url=https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/pv_solar/sun-cable-announces-global-expert-team-to-20211020 |date=20 October 2021| access-date=2021-10-21|website=Renewable Energy Magazine|first=Robin|last= Whitlock| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123173225/https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/pv_solar/sun-cable-announces-global-expert-team-to-20211020| archive-date=23 November 2022| url-status= live}}{{Cite web|title=Major milestone for world's biggest solar project|url=https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2021/01/28/major-milestone-for-worlds-biggest-solar-project/|date=January 28, 2021 |first=David |last=Carroll|access-date=2021-01-29|website=PV magazine Australia|language=en-AU}}
The project collapsed in January 2023, after Sun Cable was placed into voluntary administration following a disagreement between Forrest and Cannon-Brookes about the need to put more funding into the venture.{{cite web |last=Mercer |first=Daniel |date=22 January 2023 |title=Sun Cable demise shows renewable energy mega projects 'really hard' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-23/sun-cable-demise-shows-green-mega-projects-really-hard/101873700 |access-date=7 February 2023 |website=ABC News}} In May 2023, a consortium led by Cannon-Brookes' Grok Ventures won the bid to acquire Sun Cable,{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Adam |date=2023-05-26 |title=Mike Cannon-Brookes wins control of Sun Cable solar project from Andrew Forrest |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/may/26/mike-cannon-brookes-wins-control-of-sun-cable-solar-project-from-andrew-forrest |access-date=2023-05-26 |issn=0261-3077}} with the takeover finalised on 7 September 2023. The revised plans involve supplying electricity to Darwin by 2030, and to Singapore a few years thereafter. Eventually the solar farm would produce 6 gigawatts of power.{{cite web | last=Hannam | first=Peter | title=Sun Cable: Mike Cannon-Brookes takes charge of ‘world-changing’ solar project | website=The Guardian | date=7 September 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/07/sun-cable-mike-cannon-brookes-takes-charge-of-world-changing-solar-project | access-date=9 September 2023}}
Design
The AAPowerLink begins with the development of the world's biggest integrated renewable energy zone, (which includes solar PV generation, energy storage and voltage source converter) on Powell Creek in the Barkly Region of the Northern Territory, using photovoltaic modules designed by Australian company 5B and prefabricated at a proposed factory in Darwin. The solar panels will cover {{Cvt|12,000|ha|acre|abbr=}} (12 km x 10 km) in an area with some of the best solar resources in the world.{{Cite news|last=Morton|first=Adam|date=2019-07-14|title='Just a matter of when': the $20bn plan to power Singapore with Australian solar|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/14/just-a-matter-of-when-the-20bn-plan-to-power-singapore-with-australian-solar|url-status=|access-date=2020-08-05|issn=0261-3077}} An {{cvt|800|km|mi}} overhead power line will transmit 6.4 GW{{Citation |url=https://suncable.energy/wp-content/uploads/SunCable_Template_Smaller-VersionV10_A4_Press_Final.pdf | title="Environmental Impact Statement Summary" }} to Darwin, where it will deliver up to 4GW to a proposed Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct before transferring to a {{cvt|4300|km|mi|abbr=}} 1.75 GW undersea power line to Singapore. {{Cite web |last=Government |first=Northern Territory |date=2022-11-24 |title=Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct |url=https://middlearmprecinct.nt.gov.au/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=middlearmprecinct.nt.gov.au |language=en}} This undersea cable will be the longest undersea cable in the world, exceeding the existing longest undersea power cable by a factor of around five.{{Cite web|title=Norway and UK complete world's longest undersea power cable|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/norway-and-uk-complete-world-s-longest-undersea-power-cable-1.1242156|access-date=2021-09-23|website=The National|date=15 June 2021 }}{{Cite web|date=2020-07-13|title=Work begins in Lincolnshire on world's longest subsea power cable|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/13/work-begins-in-lincolnshire-on-worlds-longest-subsea-power-cable-viking-link|access-date=2021-09-23|website=The Guardian|language=en}}
Batteries at the solar array in Darwin and Singapore will provide load-balancing for continuous daily dispatch.
As of 2023, Singapore produces over 94% of its electricity from natural gas, but seeks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and diversify its energy imports.{{Cite news |title=What could Singapore’s energy mix look like in 2035? |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/2023/11/energy-mix-2035/index.html |access-date=2024-09-01 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}{{Cite web|last=Tan|first=Audrey|date=2015-07-21|title=From The Straits Times Archives: Singapore opts for cleaner energy sources|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/from-the-straits-times-archives-singapore-opts-for-cleaner-energy-sources|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-05|website=The Straits Times|language=en}} The AAPowerLink could provide about 15% of Singapore's electricity, reducing Singapore's emissions by up to 6 million tonnes per year.
In September 2021, it was announced that there would be further expansions to the proposed size of the project, from 10 GW to 20 GW capacity, and from 20 GWh to 36-42 GWh of battery storage, with a new estimated construction cost of $30 billion. Forecasts suggest up to $A2 billion in exports, 1750 jobs in construction, 350 operational jobs, and 12,000 indirect jobs will be created across Australia, Singapore and Indonesia over its 70 year operational life.{{Cite web|last=Vorrath|first=Sophie|date=2021-09-23|title=Sun Cable: World's biggest solar and battery project expands again, gets Indonesia approval|url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/sun-cable-worlds-biggest-solar-and-battery-project-expands-again-gets-indonesia-approval/|access-date=2021-10-21|website=RenewEconomy|language=en-AU}}
Development
The project was initially called the Australia–Singapore Power Link, as the power line will initially connect those two countries. It was later renamed to Australia-ASEAN, and again to Australia-Asia, as it was also planned to bring electricity to Indonesia.{{Cite web|last=Morrison|first=Kevin|date=30 July 2020|title=Canberra backs Australia power link to Singapore|url=https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2127748-canberra-backs-australia-power-link-to-singapore?backToResults=true|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-05|website=Argus Media}}{{cite web|url=https://newatlas.com/energy/sun-cable-australia-singapore-solar-undersea-powerlink/|title=World's biggest clean energy project to power Singapore from Australia|date=29 September 2021|access-date=18 October 2021}}
Sun Cable intended to secure all financing by late 2023, beginning construction the following year. It was expected to cost {{AUD}}30 billion (US$22.6 billion).{{Cite news|date=2021-10-20|title=Bechtel, Hatch among firms to work on Australia-Asia PowerLink| language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bechtel-hatch-among-firms-work-australia-asia-powerlink-2021-10-20/| access-date=2021-10-21}} Initial investments came from billionaires Mike Cannon-Brookes and Andrew Forrest.{{Cite web|date=2019-09-25|title=Australian billionaire to fund Singapore subsea cable project|url=https://www.power-technology.com/news/australia-singapore-power-link/|access-date=2020-08-05|website=Power Technology {{!}} Energy News and Market Analysis|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|last=Keating|first=Cecilia|date=Nov 20, 2019|title=Billionaires lead funding of 10GW Australia-Singapore power link|url=https://www.pv-tech.org/news/billionaires-lead-funding-of-10gw-australia-singapore-power-link|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-05|website=PV Tech|language=en}}
In July 2019, the project received major project status from the Northern Territory Government, ensuring local support in development and construction.{{Cite web|date=2019-07-22|title=Australia-Singapore Power Link awarded Major Project Status|url=https://utilitymagazine.com.au/australia-singapore-power-link-project-awarded-major-project-status/|access-date=2020-08-05|website=Utility Magazine}} The federal government awarded the same status in July 2020, expediting construction by facilitating coordination and permitting.{{Cite web|last=Collins|first=Leigh|date=29 July 2020|title=Australia to fast-track world's largest solar-battery project with grid link to Singapore {{!}} Recharge|url=https://www.rechargenews.com/transition/australia-to-fast-track-worlds-largest-solar-battery-project-with-grid-link-to-singapore/2-1-849688 |url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-05|website=Recharge}} Singapore had not yet permitted the project, but benefits for it include long-term electricity price stability, the potential to become a hub for trading renewable electricity in the Southeast Asian power grid,{{Cite web| last=Pearlman |first=Jonathan |date=2019-07-21 |title=Aussie solar farm project aims to power up S'pore too|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/aussie-solar-farm-project-aims-to-power-up-spore-too|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-05|website=The Straits Times |language=en}} and meeting its agreements to cut emissions under the Paris Agreement.{{Cite web|last=Mah|first=Paul|date=November 26, 2019|title=Reducing the carbon footprint of Singapore|url=https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/analysis/reducing-carbon-footprint-singapore/|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-05|website=Data Centre Dynamics|language=en}}
Undersea surveying of the Australian section of the (AAPL) cable route was completed in 2020 by Guardian Geomatics.{{Cite web|last=Chin|first=Neo Chai|date=May 29, 2020|title=Cable route surveys to begin for Australia-Singapore solar sharing project|url=https://www.eco-business.com/news/cable-route-surveys-to-begin-for-australia-singapore-solar-sharing-project/|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-05|website=Eco-Business|language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Sun Cable Survey - Phase 1 Completed {{!}} Guardian Geomatics |url=https://guardiangeomatics.com/completion-of-stage-1-sun-cable-australia-asean-power-link-aapl/ |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=guardiangeomatics.com}}
A project development agreement was signed between the NT Government and Sun Cable in January 2021, providing for commercial partnership.
An Integrated Project Delivery Team (IPDT) composed of multi-disciplinary international partners was announced in October 2021, including Bechtel (Project Delivery), Hatch Ltd (HVDC Tramission), Marsh (Risk Management), PwC Australia (Project Advisory) and SMEC (Solar Generation System).{{Cite web|last=Vorrath|first=Sophie|date=2021-10-20|title=Sun Cable names "powerhouse" to deliver world's biggest solar and battery project|url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/sun-cable-names-powerhouse-to-deliver-worlds-biggest-solar-and-battery-project/|access-date=2021-10-21|website=RenewEconomy|language=en-AU}} Construction was projected to require 1,000 jobs, and operation will have 300 jobs in the Northern Territory. As of 2021, it was expected to deliver first supply of electricity to Darwin in 2026, Singapore in 2027 with full capacity by end of 2028.
Australia is the world's largest exporter of coal. The AAPowerLink, along with the proposed wind and solar Asian Renewable Energy Hub in the Pilbara, would make it a "green energy exporting superpower."{{Cite web|last=Macdonald-Smith| first=Angela| date=2020-01-01| title=Solar export vision to be put to the test|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/solar-export-vision-to-be-put-to-the-test-20191219-p53lgx|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-08-05|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}}
=2023: temporary administration=
In January 2023, Sun Cable went into voluntary administration.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Perry |date=2023-01-11 |title=Forrest, Cannon-Brookes-backed Sun Cable collapses into administration |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/forrest-cannonbrookesbacked-sun-cable-collapses-into-administration/news-story/a8a93093cbbdd0074a1b01029d738040 |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=The Australian |language=en}} The Financial Times reported that the administration was caused after lead investors Forrest and Cannon-Brooks "clashed... over the terms of a new funding round", itself necessitated "since the project started missing milestones".{{cite news | last = Fildes| first = Nic| date = 11 January 2023| title =Australian solar project collapses after clash between its two billionaire backers| url = https://on.ft.com/3IJNNwm| newspaper = Financial Times| location = | access-date = 11 January 2023}}
In March 2022, it was announced that Sun Cable raised {{AUD}}210m (€139m) Series B capital to fund the continued development of the project. The round was led by Grok Ventures (owned by Cannon-Brookes) and Squadron Energy (owned by Forrest).{{Cite web |last=Ltd |first=Renews |date=2022-03-14 |title=Singapore, Oz power link crew raises €139m |url=https://renews.biz/76341/singapore-oz-power-link-crew-raises-139m/ |access-date=2022-04-24 |website=reNEWS - Renewable Energy News |language=en-US}} {{as of|2023|5|5}}, a process for the sale of the company has attracted four bidders, including Squadron and Grok.{{cite web | last=Terzon | first=Emilia | title=Sun Cable: Why Australia's two richest men are battling to control an unbuilt solar farm| website=ABC News (Australia) | date=5 May 2023 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-04/sun-cable-solar-andrew-twiggy-forrest-cannon-brookes-elliott/102295152 | access-date=5 May 2023}} In May 2023, a consortium led by Grok Ventures and including Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners won the bid to acquire Sun Cable. Grok put A$65m into Sun Cable during its period in administration, and the takeover was finalised on 7 September 2023. The project aims to supply electricity to Darwin by 2030 (900 megawatts initially), and to Singapore a few years thereafter. Eventually the solar farm would produce 6 gigawatts of energy.
See also
References
Further reading
- {{cite news|newspaper=South China Morning Post|location=Hong Kong|title=Could a US$14 billion Australian solar farm provide a fifth of Singapore's energy?|author=Joshua Mcdonald|date=July 6, 2020|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3091790/could-us14-billion-australian-solar-farm-provide-fifth}}
External links
- [https://suncable.sg/australia-asia-power-link/ Australia-Asia Power Link] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203161733/https://suncable.sg/australia-asia-power-link/ |date=3 December 2021 }}
{{coord missing|Northern Territory}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Australia-ASEAN Power Link}}
Category:Electric power transmission systems in Australia
Category:HVDC transmission lines
Category:Proposed electric power transmission systems
Category:Proposed solar power stations in Australia
Category:Electric power infrastructure in the Northern Territory
Category:Proposed electric power infrastructure in Australia
Category:Electric power infrastructure in Singapore
Category:Proposed infrastructure