20 GW Australian Solar Project Moves Forward

• NT government has passed a legislation which will support the development of Sun Cable's AAPL project
• It will clarify and streamline existing processes for the project while increasing its certainty and facilitate Sun Cable to secure financing
• The legislation provides for the grant or consent to the grant of tenure, but Sun Cable will still need to reach agreement with other interested parties

SunCable's Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPL) project in Australia with up to 20 GW solar PV capacity has got a boost with the Government of Northern Territory (NT) clearing a legislation to facilitate the AUD 30 billion project move forward.

The government has cleared the Solar Project (Australia-Asia Power Link) (Special Provisions) Bill 2022 that provides certainty that key commitments laid down in the Project Development agreement signed between the state government and Sun Cable will be met (see Project Development Agreement For AAPL Solar Farm).

It further explained that passing of the legislation will clarify and streamline existing processes for the project while increasing project certainty and facilitate Sun Cable to secure financing. However, it adds that while the legislation provides for the grant or consent to the grant of tenure, the company will still be required to reach agreement with other interested parties.

"Sun Cable's AAPowerLink will invest AUD 8 billion in Australia – with the majority invested here in the Territory. That means more local jobs, more opportunities for local businesses, and a strong and diversified economy," said NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles.

With its promise of transporting clean energy from Australia to Singapore via subsea cables contributing to decarbonization efforts, AAPL has grown from a 10 GW solar project to now aiming for 17 GW to 20 GW PV, supported by 36 GWh to 42 GWh of energy storage.

The company has filed its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (EPA). It is currently seeking feedback on the project till July 15, 2022.