The world's largest planned solar and storage project with up to 20 GW PV capacity, Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPL) project, has secured a letter of intent (LOI) from Australian mining group Tivan Limited for up to 300 MW renewable electricity supply for the latter's processing facility in the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct (MASDP) in Darwin. The LOI comes at a timeAustralia-Asia PowerLink (AAPL) parent Sun Cable is under voluntary administration.
The non-binding LOI for between 200 MW to 300 MW capacity procurement has been signed with AAPowerLink Australia Assets Pty Ltd.
A formal power purchase agreement (PPA) will seal the deal once both the partners work together to develop an indicative renewable energy supply and commercial strategy for the Tivan Processing Facility (TPF) where Tivan plans to process magnetite concentrate.
"As the first-moving public proponent at the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, Tivan has an important interest in how it is shaped. By partnering with Sun Cable, we are endorsing and facilitating the proposed provision of large-scale renewable energy to the precinct," said Tivan Executive Chairman Grant Wilson.
AAPL is an ambitious project that seeks to develop up to 20 GW PV and 42 GWh energy storage capacity at Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory, most of which is to be supplied to Singapore and other regions via subsea cables. Its parent Sun Cable announced entering voluntary administration in January 2023 due to lack of consensus on funding proposals and future direction among shareholders (see Bids Invited For Australian Solar & Storage Company Sun Cable).
Calling the LOI an important milestone, Sun Cable Founder and CEO David Griffin said, "The provision of 24/7 dispatchable, renewable electricity can underpin industrial processes, enabling a new wave of green industrial development."