Barkly MLA Steve Edgington met with the team from Sun Cable this week – the company which has signed a milestone agreement to advance the $22 billion Australia-AASEAN Power Link).

Mr Edgington said the project will see up to $8 billion invested in the Barkly which will host the largest solar farm and renewable energy system in the world.

“The project will see up to $8 billion invested into the Barkly region, which will host the largest solar farm and renewable energy system in the world,” said Mr Edgington.

“The sun-soaked Barkly region has been chosen as the ideal location for a solar farm and battery storage facility, which will be built across 12,000 hectares near Elliott.

“Once operational, power from the site will be available 24/7, with the solar farm supporting the 30GW storage facility.”

Mr Edgington said as well as Barkly’s sunny, cloud-free advantages, the facility will capitalise on the close access to road and rail.

The project will create 1,500 jobs during construction and 350 ongoing positions once operations begin.

Construction for the project is expected to begin in October 2023 and, by 2027, the AAPL will have the capacity to provide a significant amount of renewable energy for the Northern Territory, as well as up to 20 per cent of Singapore’s electricity supply.

Once up and running, it’s estimated the project will export $1 billion worth of solar electricity each year.

“The AAPL will go along way towards putting the Barkly region back on the map when it comes to jobs, economic development and renewable energy,” said Mr Edgington.

This article appeared in the Tennant & District Times, 19 March 2021.