Case study: Suncable

Establishing one of the world’s largest renewable energy projects

SunCable is developing the world-class solar resource in the Barkly region of the Northern Territory to deliver clean, reliable power to industrial customers locally and in Southeast Asia. The onshore transmission system and subsea cable will serve as the critical infrastructure to transmit this energy to market.

Background

Australia’s energy future will be built on our unrivalled natural resources.

The solar resource in the Barkly region is globally best in class, abundant and has strategic proximity to key markets, making it a foundational asset in Australia’s energy transition.

The Northern Territory offers a compelling proposition for green industrial development and sustainable data precincts: abundant renewable energy, existing fibre optic connectivity, industrial scale water, land availability, and proximity to key regional markets.

Opportunity

SunCable will integrate solar and battery capacity at scale to provide low cost, reliable, GW scale energy for industrial customers. This has the potential to attract global investment to Australia in energy intensive industry such as data centres, green fuels, SAF and critical minerals processing.

The project is being developed on a timeline that can supply customers the Barkly region in the late 2020s, in Darwin in early 2030s and underpin cross border electricity trade into Singapore and SouthEast Asia from the mid 2030s.

Approach

The Northern Territory Government is a proactive supporter of renewable energy investment, identifying AAPowerLink as a strategic project aligned with Australia’s clean energy transition and economic growth goals.

SunCable has secured principle environmental approval for a 6GW transmission system and 20,000ha generation precinct. Approvals for additional generation are being progressed to enable scaling to meet market demand.

On 17 November 2025, the company signed a landmark 70-year deal with Traditional Owners for the construction of the solar facility on 12,000 hectares at the Powell Creek station.

Solution

AAPowerLink is entirely funded by private capital. Investors are attracted to the potential to develop a strategic global resource, drive industrial development, enhance energy security and support regional partnerships.

Outcomes

AAPowerLink will generate around A$20 billion in economic activity in the Northern Territory over the first 40 years of operation.

The four-year construction phase alone will create around 6,800 direct and indirect jobs each year, peaking at approximately 14,300 jobs along the project’s supply chain and services sector. It is estimated that 1,750 of those jobs will directly contribute to SunCable’s development of major nation-building renewable energy infrastructure.

Once operational, the project will sustain approximately 350 long-term direct jobs, fostering a highly skilled local workforce, and enabling new career pathways in the renewable energy sector.

In Singapore, AAPowerLink will play a critical role in diversifying the city-state’s energy supply, enhancing its energy security, and supporting its net zero emissions target for 2050.

By delivering 1.75GW of firmed renewable electricity, the project will provide a stable and sustainable energy source for Singapore’s rapidly growing digital, industrial, and commercial sectors. This will be instrumental in reducing the country’s carbon emissions by an estimated 6 million tonnes annually.

At-a-glance