Sun Cable eyes Tasmania for multi-billion dollar factory for sub-sea cables

The Mike Cannon-Brookes-backed Sun Cable has named Bell Bay in Tasmania as its preferred site to manufacture the thousands of kilometres of high voltage sub-sea cable that will be needed to connect the world’s biggest solar and battery project to Singapore.

Sun Cable, which hopes to build a 4,300 kms sub sea link to Singapore to export power from the Sun Cable solar project in the Northern Territory, says an Australian plant will help ease global supply chain pressures and help build an Australian-based renewable energy supply chain ecosystem.

All high voltage sub sea cables are currently made in the northern hemisphere.

The decision is significant as it underlines the potential for Australia to re-boot its manufacturing capabilities as it looks to become a renewable energy superpower – and building sub-sea cables, along with solar, battery storage and critical minerals development, is a key part of that.

Bell Bay has been chosen as the likely site for the multi-billion dollar plant because of its strong renewable energy infrastructure – the facility will need a renewable energy supply of up to 40MW – and access to ports and rail infrastructure.

“Australia has an abundance of sunshine and wind,” SunCable chief projects officer Chris Tyrrell said in a statement.

“HVDC cable enables the export of this natural resource to the world, establishing Australia as a renewable energy superpower as well as an advanced manufacturing hub for critical supply chains.”

Sun Cable is still very much focused on its renewable energy export plans, which in the case of the Singapore proposal – officially known as the Australia Asia PowerLink – could involve a solar farm of up to 20 GW near Elliott in the NT and up to 42 GWh of battery storage.

The company hopes to replicate the plan for other countries, although the Sun Cable project is also likely to roll out in stages, initially focused at a 900 MW supply into Darwin to supply green industrial projects.

Sun Cable said the idea to build a manufacturing plant in Tasmania is in its early stages and the company will soon begin consultation with local communities and other stakeholders, but it also fits in with Tasmania’s plan to use its renewable energy and industrial centres to attract new green industry.

Such a facility could attract more than 800 construction jobs and more than 400 advanced manufacturing jobs, and more than $1 billion in economic activity to Tasmania during construction, and up to $350 million per year at full operations.

Sun Cable says if it proceeds with the Bell Bay site, construction is scheduled to commence in 2025 and first manufactured cable in 2029.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for the northern region and confirms that Tasmania has what the world wants,” said Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

The deputy Premier, and local Member for Bass, Michael Ferguson, said the manufacturing facility would inject billions into the Tasmanian economy.

“This project would provide exciting careers for Tasmanian generations to come, particularly in the Tamar region,” he said.  “It is a huge vote of confidence in the Tasmanian economy, and our Government welcomes the role the private sector plays in Tasmania.”