Australia approved plans for a massive solar and battery farm that would export energy to Singapore, a project dubbed the “largest solar precinct in the world”, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Authorities announced environmental approvals for the $24 billion SunCable project in Australia’s remote north that is slated to power three million homes.
The project will include an array of panels, batteries and, eventually, a cable linking Australia with Singapore.
“It will be the largest solar precinct in the world –- and heralds Australia as the world leader in green energy,” said Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.
Furthermore, it is hoped that energy production will begin in 2030.
The 12,000-hectare (29,650 acre) project will provide four gigawatts of energy per hour for domestic use. Two more gigawatts sent to Singapore via undersea cable will supply about 15 percent of the city-state’s needs.
Batteries would be able to store about 40 gigawatts, AFP mentioned in a report.
From mining to renewables
SunCable, a company founded in 2018 by a group of individuals including former CEO David Griffin, with operations spanning Singapore and Australia, envisioned a bold transformation for the country. Their ambition was to further shift Australia, a major mining powerhouse, into a global leader in renewable energy exports.
The core of their plan was to send the majority of the generated renewable power to Singapore, a nation heavily reliant on gas.
Moreover, in May 2023, after a disagreement with former project partner Andrew Forrest, billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder of software giant Atlassian, acquired SunCable.
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