Australia has approved under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) SunCable’s Australia-Asia Power Link solar project in the Northern Territory, which is expected to generate up to 6 GW including 4 GW for Darwin and 2 GW for potential export to Singapore via a 4,300km subsea cable. The approval, which also includes an 800 km transmission line to Darwin and an underwater cable to the end of Australian waters, comes with strict conditions to protect nature including requirements to completely avoid important species like the Greater Bilby and critical habitat. The 12,000 hectare plant will be located on a pastoral station between Elliot and Tennant Creek.
Previously, in July 2024, the Northern Territory Government and NT Environment Protection Authority granted environmental approval to the project. A Final Investment Decision (FID) on the project is expected in 2027 with electricity supply to commence in the early 2030s.