Indonesia greenlights Sun Cable route through waters, clearing major hurdle

The $8b Sun Cable project has cleared another hurdle, with one of Australia’s closest neighbours allowing the cable through its maritime waters.

INDONESIA has approved the $8b Sun Cable project passing through its waters, clearing yet another hurdle for construction to get underway.

The AAPowerlink cable will be capable of providing the city-state of Singapore with 15 per cent of its electricity needs from the Northern Territory once the Sun Cable project is put online from 2028.

The project will also reduce Singapore’s carbon dioxide emissions by 6 million tonnes a year, which Sun Cable claims will help the city reach its 2030 emissions targets.

Singapore will be connected to Darwin via a 4200km direct current undersea cable, part of which will run through the Indonesian archipelago.

Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Investment Co-ordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitain on Thursday confirmed the Indonesian Government has recommended the route of the transmission cables through Indonesian waters.

The Indonesian Transport Ministry also granted a subsea survey permit.

Sun Cable chief executive David Griffin said the approvals were a major step forward.

“This is a significant milestone for the AAPowerLink and brings us closer to generating and

transmitting affordable, dispatchable renewable energy to Darwin and Singapore, via the

world’s largest renewable energy transmission network,” Mr Griffin said.

“We are developing the technology that integrates solar, storage and High Voltage Direct

Current (HVDC) transmission technologies, to meet the large-scale demand for renewable

energy.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the project was a major step forward in the NT’s renewable energy ambitions.

“Sun Cable is building momentum – this is another major step forward for this multi-billion dollar project,” Mr Gunner said.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner and Sun Cable chief executive David Griffin both said the announcement was a major step forward. Picture: Che Chorley

“It will inject $8b into the Australian economy, with most of it being spent right here in the Northern Territory.”

Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia Penny Williams said the approvals also showed co-operation between Australia and Indonesia was generating economic benefits for the region.

“Australia believes in a technology-driven approach to combating climate change and I am pleased the Indonesian Government has supported Sun Cable’s project to harness and share the power of solar energy,” Ms Williams said.

“I look forward to Sun Cable investing in Indonesia, sharing knowledge, creating jobs and contributing to the strengthening of Indonesia-Australia economic ties.”