Singapore may be able to receive the cross-sea solar electricity from Australia after 2027, as the latter has decided to accelerate the approval of an “ASEAN Solar Power Program” that costs AUD$22 billion. The solar-generated electricity is expected to be transmitted through a high voltage direct current submarine cable that measures at 3,700km. With the help of this program, Australia will be able to not only conduct energy diplomacy, but also expedite the recovery in its economy subsequent to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program, also known as “Australia-ASEAN Power Link,” will be primarily operated by the Singapore-based Sun Cable, which hopes to establish the largest 10GW solar power plant, as well as a 30GWh battery storage system, at Elliot in the Northern Territory of Australia, where a 4,500km high voltage direct current cable is connected with Indonesia and Singapore, and provides 24/7 green electricity.
Angus Taylor, the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction of Australia, pointed out at his statement that this program contains “strategic meaning”, as it hopes to infuse billions of Australian dollars for the economy, as well as create thousands of job opportunities. “Although we are faced with tremendous challenges in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry remains full of investment opportunities that would lead to economic recovery and job creations,” Taylor said.
Karen Andrews, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, commented that the construction period will create 1,500 job opportunities, as well as generate 350 full-time and 12,000 indirect vacancies in Australia.
This program has been listed by Australia as a major program. According to David Griffin, the CEO of Sun Cable, the status of this program is also a milestone of the AAPL program. Griffin commented in November 2019 that the target is to raise the relevant funds during the second half of 2023 after receiving approval for the completed design.
Sun Cable will be adopting the Maverick installation technology of the solar company 5B, and elevating the speed and efficiency of installation through distinctive modular design, as well as the pre-assembled and rapid assemble technology. The Maverick technology will first install solar power on foldable module frames that are transported to the site by trucks after they are assembled and folded, which somewhat resembles the concept of an accordion. The modules can then be unfolded and installed directly once they have arrived at the destination, which not only reduces the occupying area, but also quickens the progress of the site.
Should the program complete as anticipated, the largest solar power plant in the world will be providing electricity in the Northern Territory of Australia starting 2027, while also transmitting power to Indonesia and Singapore that would satisfy the 20% power demand from Singapore, with a revenue of AUD$2 billion per year.
(Photo source: SUN CABLE)