SYDNEY: Australia on Wednesday approved plans for a massive solar and battery farm in its remote northern region, which it described as the “largest solar precinct in the world.” Part of the energy generated will be exported to Singapore.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek announced that the expansive solar farm would produce enough energy to power three million homes. The project will include solar panels, batteries, and eventually a cable connecting Australia to Singapore.
“This will be the largest solar precinct globally and positions Australia as a world leader in green energy,” Plibersek stated.
The 12,000-hectare (29,650-acre) project, named SunCable, is located in Australia’s sun-drenched Northern Territory and is supported by tech billionaire and environmental advocate Mike Cannon-Brookes.
The project is set to generate four gigawatts of energy per hour for domestic use, with an additional two gigawatts to be exported to Singapore.
Despite being one of the world’s top exporters of coal and gas, Australia has been severely impacted by climate change, experiencing extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods, and bushfires.
Although Australians are keen adopters of household solar panels, successive governments have been slow to fully embrace renewable energy.
