SunCable poaches solar and gas industry execs to lead baseload renewables project

Sun Cable has poached two senior executives from the solar and gas industries to lead development of the “onshore” component of its ambitious plans to build the world’s largest battery and storage project in the Northern Territory.

Cameron Garnsworthy, previously head of Juwi Renewables in Australia and before that FRV Australia, is to be the managing director of SunCable Australia, while former gas industry executive Martin Hay will be chief development officer.

The original plan from SunCable was to build 20 GW of solar PV capacity in the NT, supported by up to 42 GWh of battery storage, targeting export markets in Singapore and Darwin-based green industry.

The project is now being framed differently – as 6 gigawatts of baseload, 24/7 renewable electricity. Around 4GW of that will target potential green industry customers in Darwin, with another 1.7 GW of baseload solar power to be delivered later to Singapore via a 4,200kms sub-sea link.

Jeremy Kwong-Law, the head of Grok Ventures, the investment firm owned by billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and which manages his interest in SunCable, says the two executives will help lead the initial onshore component of the massive project.

The first component will involve an 800km overhead high voltage direct current (HVDC) power line from the renewable energy zone on Powell Creek in the Northern Territory into Darwin. Garnsworthy and Hay will report to Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, which is leading the domestic component of the SunCable project.

Quinbrook’s David Scaysbrook said in the statement that DarwinLink is the primary focus “on this genuine superpower opportunity for the Territory and for Australia.”

Martin has held senior leadership roles in Worley, UGL, GHD, Incite Energy and most recently KBR as Director for Advisory, with a focus on Energy Transition projects.

SunCable says it has been progressing key project milestones in the Northern Territory, including principal approvals, Indigenous Land Use Agreements, procurement packages and offtake, with further milestone announcements expected in 2024.