ESC has successfully secured critical environmental approvals for Sun Cable’s Australia-Asia Power Link project, enabling it to move forward in delivering renewable energy from Australia to Singapore.
About the Project
Sun Cable’s Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink) project is an ambitious renewable energy initiative designed to supply green electricity to Darwin and Singapore. This project involves developing a massive 10GW solar farm in Australia’s Northern Territory and transmitting the generated power through a 4,300km subsea high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable. The AAPowerLink project is poised to be one of the largest renewable energy and transmission projects globally, aiming to provide 1.75GW of clean energy to Singapore and up to 4GW to Darwin.
Sun Cable engaged ESC to secure the necessary environmental approvals, including Analisis Mengenai Dampak Lingkungan (AMDAL) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), for the subsea cable installation through Indonesian territorial waters. This approval is critical for moving the project to its next phase of development, which includes advancing commercial, engineering, and development activities toward the Final Investment Decision (FID) targeted in 2027.
Our Approach
ESC adopted a detailed and systematic approach to facilitate the delivery of all key environmental permits. Our team provided Sun Cable with a single point of contact for developing the AMDAL and ESIA, ensuring a cohesive and streamlined process. Our solutions included:
- Environmental Baseline Surveys: Conducting comprehensive marine environmental baseline surveys along the Indonesian coast.
- Impact Assessments: Developing detailed impact assessments for pre-construction, construction, operation, and maintenance phases.
- Regulatory Compliance: We worked closely with regulatory authorities in Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia to secure the necessary permits and approvals.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with stakeholders, including local communities and government bodies, to address concerns and ensure transparency throughout the project.
Outcome
Through ESC’s extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of regulatory frameworks, we successfully secured the environmental approvals needed for Sun Cable to proceed with the AAPowerLink project.
The environmental approval covers several key components of the AAPowerLink project, including:
- A 10GW solar generation and utility-scale storage site at Powell Creek.
- An 800km HVDC overhead transmission line from the solar precinct to Darwin.
- The Darwin converter site converts electricity from HVDC to HVAC for local use and back to HVDC for transmission to Singapore.
- A subsea HVDC cable from Darwin to the Indonesian border.
The project is expected to deliver significant economic benefits. It will support an average of 6,800 direct and indirect jobs annually during construction, with a peak workforce of 14,300. ESC’s work has laid the foundation for Sun Cable to deliver 24/7 green electricity, reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development.
Over the past years, ESC has been dedicated to advancing sustainability and environmental stewardship across the Asia-Pacific region. Our projects have provided significant benefits to local communities and economies in countries like Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia. ESC’s efforts have not only facilitated regulatory compliance but have also contributed to job creation, economic growth, and the global shift towards energy transition.
Ready to make sustainability a core part of your business? Let ESC guide you. Contact ESC today to support your next renewable energy project.