(Sydney) Australia on Wednesday approved plans for a massive solar farm in the country’s north, a project it called “the world’s largest solar park.”
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the massive solar farm would produce enough energy to power three million homes and would include panels, batteries and, eventually, a cable from Australia to Singapore.
“This will be the largest solar park in the world, making Australia the world leader in green energy,” Mr.me Plibersek.
The solar farm is expected to provide four gigawatts of energy per hour for domestic use. Another two gigawatts will be sent to Singapore.
The batteries could store up to about 40 gigawatts.
Known as SunCable, the 12,000-hectare project will be located in the sun-drenched Northern Territory. It is valued at €21 billion and is backed by tech billionaire and environmental activist Mike Cannon-Brookes.
This solar power plant is expected to start producing energy in 2030.
The Australian government’s green light is “a significant moment in the evolution of the project,” SunCable Australia managing director Cameron Garnsworthy said.
But it still has several steps to go before it can see the light of day. It will need to be approved by a range of stakeholders, including Singapore’s Energy Market Regulatory Authority, the Indonesian government and indigenous communities in Australia.
“Clean Energy Power”
“SunCable will now focus its efforts on the next stage of planning to advance the project towards a final investment decision expected in 2027,” said Mike Cannon-Brookes, project funder.
The solar farm is a key step in making Australia a “clean energy powerhouse”, said Amanda McKenzie, chief executive of the Climate Council.
Such projects are essential to “provide affordable energy and reduce climate pollution,” she added.
Australia is currently one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and gas, but is being severely affected by the effects of climate change (intense heat, floods and bushfires).
In 2022, renewables accounted for 32% of Australia’s total electricity generation, compared to 47% from coal, according to the latest government data.