Sun Cable is all set to expand its mega project with the consortium behind the proposed Australia-ASEAN Power Link (AAPL). The AAPL is expected to export solar energy from Australia’s Outback to Singapore through a submarine transmission link. With advancements in solar photovoltaic technology, the proposed solar project would surpass the original plan of creating a 14 GW capacity.
The originally planned AAPL is being developed on a 12,000-hectare site in the Barkly region and comprises of a 14 GW solar farm which utilises the Maverick solar PV system designed by 5B, a Sydney based manufacturer. An estimated 33 GW of battery storage will supplement the renewable energy generation capacity of the farm. The power will be supplied to Darwin and to Singapore via a 4,500-kilometre high-voltage direct-current transmission network, which includes a 750 km overhead transmission line from the solar farm to Darwin and a 3,800 km HVDC submarine cable from Darwin to Singapore.
Presently, the project is at the stage of baseline analysis and geotechnical studies. The construction of the project is set to begin in 2024. The power supply is scheduled to begin from Darwin in 2026. The AAPL will be capable of supplying up to 20 per cent of Singapore’s total power needs. The supply is expected to commence in 2027.