World’s largest solar farm in NT given tick of approval by Aussie tech bilionaire

THE NT’s proposed world’s largest solar farm has received a major shot in the arm with an Aussie tech billionaire confirming he will invest in the $20bn project

The plan to build the world’s largest solar farm in the NT has received a major shot in the arm with Aussie tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes confirming he will invest in the $20bn project. Picture: Getty Images

• WORLD’S largest solar farm planned for NT in $20bn project
• INVESTORS, politicians ambitious for giant NT solar farm project

THE plan to have the world’s largest solar farm in the Northern Territory has received a major shot in the arm with Aussie tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes confirming he will invest in the $20 billion solar farm project.

Mr Cannon-Brookes was at the United Nations climate forum when he confirmed his intention to be a part of the project near Tennant Creek.

In June the NT News reported the 15,000ha project had attracted the interest of Mr Cannon-Brookes’ private investment arm Grok Ventures.

However, the Australian Financial Review interviewed Mr Cannon-Brookes at the United Nations forum in New York this week, where he told the paper he would “shortly” declare how much equity he would put into the project company Sun Cable.

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Singapore-based Sun Cable says the farm would use 5B manufactured Maverick solar power technology and produce about a third of Singapore’s electricity through solar power, sourced from the desert near Tennant Creek and transmitted via a 3800km high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable.

“I’m backing it, we’re going to make it work, I’m going to build a wire,” Mr Cannon-Brookes told the Australian Financial Review in New York.

Mr Cannon-Brookes said he would reveal more in the “next couple of months for sure … certainly before the end of the year”.

“We haven’t announced who is involved but it’s a pretty amazing crew,” he said.

“This will be absolutely great – with world-leading engineering required. But we can do it.

“Elon (Musk) assures me that his batteries will work at 50 degrees centigrade, which is what they need to do to work in Tennant Creek.”

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Chief Minister Michael Gunner said there was no better place in the world to lead the renewable revolution than the Territory.

“Investing in renewables means more local jobs, and more permanent jobs for Territorians,” he said.

“We have the guaranteed cloud-free days, the land and a government with the vision, plan and will to make it happen.

“This project stamps our reputation as a place to do business.”