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ABC News Daily

The billionaire’s plan to export our solar power

Aug 27, 2024
Giles Parkinson, founder and editor of RenewEconomy.com.au, dives into the ambitious Sun Cable project backed by billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes. This giant solar farm in the Northern Territory aims to generate 10 gigawatts of solar energy, with plans to export electricity to Singapore. The conversation highlights the rivalry among billionaires over renewable energy visions and the challenges of developing necessary infrastructure. Parkinson also discusses Australia’s potential as a major player in global solar energy markets.
15:00

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Quick takeaways

  • The ambitious Sun Cable project aims to create a massive solar farm in Northern Territory for exporting renewable energy to Singapore.
  • The initiative highlights Australia's potential to transition into a renewable energy exporter while addressing local economic growth and job creation.

Deep dives

Massive Solar Project in Northern Territory

A large-scale solar farm is planned for a pastoral station in the Northern Territory, designed to be so vast it will be visible from space. Originally intended to produce 20 gigawatts of solar energy, the project may have its solar capacity reduced to 10 gigawatts, still exceeding the current total installed capacity of all large solar farms in Australia. This solar farm will cover around 12,000 hectares, dwarfing existing installations, and potentially include a wind component to enhance energy production during nighttime. The project's immense scale raises interest, especially when considering the comparison to smaller solar farms, illuminating the magnitude of this endeavor.

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