SunCable has been granted Conditional Approval by Singapore's Energy Market Authority (EMA) to proceed with the Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink), a major project aimed at delivering renewable energy from Australia to Singapore. This approval signifies that the AAPowerLink has met the EMA’s rigorous standards of technical and commercial feasibility, positioning SunCable to advance to the next phase of development and commercial negotiations.
Mitesh Patel, Interim CEO of SunCable International, expressed appreciation for the EMA’s endorsement, noting that it demonstrates confidence in the project's viability. According to Patel, Conditional Approval enables SunCable to deepen partnerships with Indonesia, expand commercial talks with Singaporean industrial clients, and engage with both the Northern Territory Government and the Traditional Owners of the proposed project site in Australia. AAPowerLink’s goal is to supply Singapore with 1.75 GW of renewable electricity—around 15% of the country’s total demand—offering a diversified and resilient energy supply to support Singapore's Net Zero objectives.
The AAPowerLink project aims to transmit a continuous, 24/7 load of solar and wind-generated power, supported by storage to stabilize supply for Singapore’s energy needs. Located in Australia’s Northern Territory, the project leverages optimal solar resources, aiming to become one of the world’s most cost-competitive and secure sources of green energy. Alongside this export of energy to Singapore, an additional 4 GW of renewable power will be retained in Australia to bolster green industries in Darwin.
SunCable’s project site is in the Barkly region of the Northern Territory, an area known for its solar generation potential. Energy generated here will travel through an 800-kilometre overhead line to Darwin, then through a 4,300-kilometre high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable, the longest of its kind, to reach Singapore. The project has already garnered over AUD 250 million in investment across Australia, Singapore, and Indonesia, advancing cross-border renewable energy trade and establishing a new export channel for Australian energy.
The AAPowerLink’s recent Conditional Approval is one of many milestones achieved this year. In August, the project received key environmental clearance from the Australian Commonwealth Government, enabling further development. The initiative is expected to deliver AUD 20 billion in economic value and create thousands of jobs during its construction and operation phases.
SunCable is also progressing regulatory approvals and partnerships in the Northern Territory, where it is in discussions with green industrial stakeholders. In Indonesia, the company has committed to a USD 2.5 billion investment over the project's lifecycle, anticipated to generate 7,500 jobs in fields such as construction, manufacturing, and maintenance. Moreover, SunCable has launched programs to bolster Indonesia’s renewable energy sector workforce through strategic partnerships and educational opportunities.
For Singapore, SunCable’s renewable imports will enhance energy security, bolster green industrial growth, support Net Zero objectives, create jobs, and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated six million tonnes annually. With energy demand in the Asia-Pacific region expected to surge by over 70% by 2040, the AAPowerLink stands poised to play a vital role in meeting this demand. By connecting Australia’s high-yield renewable energy assets with major cities in Southeast Asia, SunCable aims to address regional energy challenges while contributing to the global energy transition.
Originally conceived as a massive 20 GW solar project with battery storage and a 4,300-kilometre undersea cable, AAPowerLink faced temporary setbacks, including administration in early 2023 due to funding disagreements. However, Grok Ventures, led by tech entrepreneur Mike Cannon-Brookes, has since acquired SunCable and revitalized the project, now targeting initial power delivery to Darwin by 2030 and, shortly after, to Singapore.