Solar Energy News
SOLAR DAILY
Australia approves world's 'largest' solar hub
Australia approves world's 'largest' solar hub
by AFP Staff Writers
Sydney (AFP) Aug 21, 2024

Australia on Wednesday approved plans for a massive solar and battery farm that would export energy to Singapore, a project dubbed the "largest solar precinct in the world".

Authorities announced environmental approvals for the US$24 billion SunCable project in Australia's remote north that is slated to power three million homes.

The project, which will include an array of panels, batteries and, eventually, a cable linking Australia with Singapore, is backed by tech billionaire and green activist Mike Cannon-Brookes.

"It will be the largest solar precinct in the world -- and heralds Australia as the world leader in green energy," said Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.

It is hoped that energy production will begin in 2030.

The 12,000-hectare (29,650 acre) project will provide four gigawatts of energy per hour for domestic use. Two more gigawatts sent to Singapore via undersea cable will supply about 15 percent of the city-state's needs.

Batteries would be able to store about 40 gigawatts

SunCable Australia's managing director Cameron Garnsworthy said the approval was "a landmark moment in the project's journey".

Despite Wednesday's green light, numerous approval processes remain -- including working with Singapore's energy market authority, Indonesia's government and Australian Indigenous communities.

"SunCable will now focus its efforts on the next stage of planning to advance the project towards a final investment decision targeted by 2027," said Cannon-Brookes.

- 'Clean energy powerhouse' -

Australia is currently one of the world's leading exporters of coal and gas, but has also been ravaged by the effects of climate change -- from intense heat to floods and bushfires.

Although Australians are among the world's most enthusiastic adopters of household solar panels, a string of governments have been slow to fully embrace renewables.

In 2022, renewables made up 32 percent of Australia's total electricity generation -- compared to coal, which contributed 47 percent, according to the latest government data.

Climate Council chief executive officer Amanda McKenzie said the new solar hub was a bold step in making Australia a "clean energy powerhouse" and that such projects were essential in "delivering affordable energy and slashing climate pollution".

"With the closure of coal-fired power stations on the horizon, Australia needs to accelerate the roll-out of solar and storage at every level-rooftops, large-scale projects, and everything in between," she said.

The project would also be a significant step for Cannon-Brookes', who has expanded his portfolio from software company Atlassian -- which he co-founded -- to the renewable energy space, including being the latest shareholder in AGL Energy.

Related Links
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SOLAR DAILY
Leaf-inspired Solar Concentrators Could Significantly Improve Efficiency
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Aug 16, 2024
Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) have been a key focus of research since their inception in the 1970s, aiming to enhance solar energy capture by converting and concentrating sunlight onto photovoltaic (PV) cells. Unlike traditional solar concentrators that rely on mirrors and lenses, LSCs can efficiently harvest diffuse light and have been used in applications like building-integrated photovoltaics, where their semi-transparent and colorful appearance adds aesthetic value. However, scaling up LSCs ... read more

SOLAR DAILY
UCF Researcher Develops Nature-Inspired Technology to Convert CO2 into Useful Fuels and Chemicals

In Colombia, hungry beetle larvae combat trash buildup

Polymer-Coated Copper Electrodes Enhance Selectivity in CO2 Conversion to Multicarbon Fuels

A recipe for zero-emissions fuel: Soda cans, seawater, and caffeine

SOLAR DAILY
Robotic researchers develop smart object to measure squeezing force

MIT engineers design tiny batteries for powering cell-sized robots

UMass Amherst Unveils Efficient Robot Collaboration Method

OpenAI worries its AI voice may charm users

SOLAR DAILY
Engineers Develop Cost-Effective Seafloor Testing Device for Offshore Wind Farms

SOLAR DAILY
Tesla faces lower-rate EU tariffs on China-made EVs

BMW to recall 1.4 mn cars in China over airbags: regulator

China's growing 'robotaxi' fleet sparks concern, wonder on streets

China's EV firm XPeng posts surging sales as price war drags on profitability

SOLAR DAILY
SwRI Expands EV Battery Research with Launch of EVESE-II Consortium

More durable metals for fusion power reactors

Argentine lithium a boon for some, doom for others

Buffalo develops world's highest-performance superconducting wire segment

SOLAR DAILY
Rwanda signs deal with US nuclear firm for mini-reactors

China green-lights 11 new reactors in nuclear push

Safety 'deteriorating' at Ukraine nuclear plant: UN watchdog

Fire at cooling tower of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

SOLAR DAILY
States' Renewable Energy Policies Show Cross-Border Impacts

China plans to adopt volume-based emissions reduction targets

Japan schoolkids wilt in under-insulated classrooms

Net zero goal critical to Earth's stability: study

SOLAR DAILY
New Monitoring Tool Reveals Declining Forest Health Across Germany

Global Reforestation Efforts Must Prioritize Biodiversity, Warns Expert

BeZero Enhances Carbon Ratings Using Planet Labs Forest Data

How Well Will Different US Forests Remove Atmospheric Carbon in the Future

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.