Australia Approves Major Solar Export Project

The Australian government has approved the AAPowerLink project, a landmark initiative by Sun Cable to export solar energy from the Northern Territory to Singapore via a 4,300 km undersea cable. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek emphasized the project's potential to meet growing renewable energy demands, aiming to deliver up to 6 GW of green electricity in two stages, with the first stage expected to begin supplying power in the early 2030s. The project, backed by billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, is set to produce enough energy to power three million homes and includes strict environmental protections, particularly for the habitat of the greater bilby. Sun Cable's managing director, Cameron Garnsworthy, highlighted the approval as a vote of confidence, targeting a final investment decision by 2027. The project has also received prior approval from Indonesian authorities in 2021 and is negotiating Indigenous Land Use Agreements in Australia. This initiative aligns with Australia's push towards renewable energy, despite ongoing debates about its reliance on coal and gas.