Australia Approves Development of 6 Gigawatt Solar Farm

The Albanese Government has approved the development of the Australia-Asia PowerLink, a groundbreaking solar initiative set to become the largest solar farm on the planet. This monumental project, led by Australian company SunCable, has secured environmental approval for its venture, positioning Australia at the forefront of global renewable energy.

Located in the Northern Territory, the Australia-Asia PowerLink is expected to generate up to 6 GW of clean energy annually. Of this, 4 GW will be dedicated to powering Darwin, meeting the energy needs of approximately 3 million homes. This approval signifies that the Albanese Government has now greenlit enough renewable energy projects to supply power to nearly 7 million homes.

Spanning 12,000 hectares, the solar farm will be situated on a pastoral station between Elliott and Tennant Creek. The project also includes an 800-kilometer transmission line to Darwin and an underwater cable extending to the edge of Australian waters.

SunCable estimates that the development will inject over USD 20 billion into the local economy, creating around 6,800 direct and indirect jobs annually during the construction phase, with a peak workforce of 14,300. This latest endorsement brings the total number of renewable energy projects approved by the Albanese Government to over 55.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek praised the project as a defining moment for Australia’s green energy sector. “This massive project is not only the largest solar precinct globally but also solidifies Australia’s leadership in green energy,” she declared. “It will generate nearly six times the energy of a 700 MW nuclear reactor, reflecting our unwavering commitment to renewable energy.”

Despite this advancement, the project’s path has not been without obstacles. SunCable faced a major setback when it entered voluntary administration in January 2023 due to a funding dispute. However, by May, a consortium led by Mike Cannon-Brookes’ Grok Ventures acquired the company, with the takeover finalized in September 2023. 

SunCable’s managing director, Cameron Garnsworthy, expressed relief at overcoming this regulatory hurdle and is now focusing on advancing the project toward a Final Investment Decision by 2027, with electricity supply expected to commence in the early 2030s.