Markets

Northern Territory Wants To Go Net Zero By 2050

Anu Bhambhani

Australia's Northern Territory Government (NTG) is looking at a least cost pathway for the state to become a net zero emitter by 2050, and in the interim target carbon neutral status by 2030, for which it is seeking consultancy services through a solicitation.

Through this consultancy assignment, the state government is seeking advice on the region's current GHG emissions, and their sources from its operations, as well as recommendations on potential strategies for the government to lower its emissions.

Led by Labor party, NTG said the consultancy is 'key' to 'understand its own emissions profile and establish an effective emissions reduction pathway'.

According to the tender bid on NT Government's tender website, last date to submit applications is April 7, 2021.  

In January 2021, NTG had launched the 1st GHG emissions tender wherein it sought advice on likely trajectory to its emissions profile to 2050, under different economic development scenarios. This month it will issue stage 2 consultation of the state's Planning Commissions' Designing Better project.

NT region is very high on solar irradiance thanks to which project developer Sun Cable is building what's being touted as the world's 'largest' planned solar farm with 13 GW PV and 30 GW energy storage capacity. Power generated by this facility is planned to be used locally in Darwin, and also to export to Singapore via a high voltage direct current (HVDC) undersea transmission network. NTG entered into a project development agreement with Sun Cable for this project in January 2021 (see Project Development Agreement For AAPL Solar Farm).