SunCable Manufacturing
SunCable is in discussions with global cable manufacturers to jointly develop, construct and operate an advanced high voltage (HV) cable manufacturing facility, with the AAPowerLink project from Darwin to Singapore as an anchor customer.
This multibillion-dollar investment in Australian advanced manufacturing will deliver enduring benefits for 40+ years. It will create around 800–1000 jobs during construction and more than 400 ongoing operational jobs.
Australia has abundant sunshine and wind. High voltage direct current (HVDC) cable enables the transportation of these renewable resources around the country and throughout the region, establishing Australia as a renewable energy superpower as well as an advanced manufacturing hub for critical supply chains.
This advanced cable manufacturing facility will be the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, manufacturing HV transmission cables that are essential in the energy transition. These cables unlock renewables generation capacity, transmitting clean energy to industry, business, and our homes.
Community Information
Thank you to those people who attended our recent Community Information Sessions.
It was valuable for us to be able to provide information on the project and to hear from residents and the community about your areas of interest.
We look forward to continuing the conversation over the coming months.
Below are links to information provided during those sessions, including the draft photomontages of the proposed facility from several vantage points.
We will keep you informed about upcoming sessions and other opportunities to engage with the project team.
Approval Process
Studies we are completing
- Terrestrial Ecology
- Marine Ecology
- Air Impacts
- Noise Impacts
- Light Impacts
- Cost Benefit / Socio-Economic Impacts
- Aboriginal Heritage
- Cultural Heritage
- Visual Impact
- Traffic Impacts
- Aeronautical Safety
- Marine Safety
- Coastal Processes
- Stormwater Management
- Landslip Hazard
- Infrastructure Assessment
- Contaminated Lands
- Bushfire Hazard
- Hydrogeology (groundwater)
- Hydrology (flood)
Project Update
SunCable has been working with jurisdictions across Southeast Asia and Australia over the last two years, assessing potential sites for this advanced cable manufacturing facility.
As part of this process, we are progressing detailed studies and due diligence on a potential site in Bell Bay, Tasmania. Any final decision to progress development applications for this site will be made after initial community consultation.
Our criteria for potential sites include:
Manufacturing Process
Project Update
SunCable has been working with jurisdictions across Southeast Asia and Australia over the last two years, assessing potential sites for this advanced cable manufacturing facility.
As part of this process, we are progressing detailed studies and due diligence on a potential site in Bell Bay, Tasmania. Any final decision to progress development applications for this site will be made after initial community consultation.
Our criteria for potential sites include:
Project Update
SunCable has been working with jurisdictions across Southeast Asia and Australia over the last two years, assessing potential sites for this advanced cable manufacturing facility.
As part of this process, we are progressing detailed studies and due diligence on a potential site in Bell Bay, Tasmania. Any final decision to progress development applications for this site will be made after initial community consultation.
Our criteria for potential sites include:
- Land and infrastructure near a deep-water port with access to renewable power and transport
- An established industry base with a skilled workforce and local supply chain
- Community and stakeholder input to help inform our decision-making
Estimated Project Roadmap
FAQs
How will this advanced cable manufacturing facility support the energy transition?
Net zero commitments from 139 countries are driving a significant increase in demand for wind and solar power, as renewable electricity forms the bedrock of the energy transition.
SunCable is on a mission to deliver reliable renewable energy across Australia and throughout the region, via its flagship AAPowerLink project.
AAPowerLink will require a 4,300km HVDC subsea cable system to connect Darwin with Singapore. SunCable is seeking to support Singapore’s objective of importing at least 4 GW from low-carbon sources by 2035.
SunCable is set to establish an advanced high voltage (HV) subsea cable manufacturing and testing facility, with AAPowerLink as an anchor customer.
HVDC cables connect renewable projects to the power grid, making them a key enabler of decarbonisation in economies around the world.
Why do we need this advanced cable manufacturing facility in Australia?
Development of a purpose-built manufacturing facility will help reduce global supply constraints of HVDC subsea cable. All existing advanced HVDC subsea cable facilities are in the Northern Hemisphere.
This facility will be a critical enabler of SunCable’s flagship AAPowerLink project, and the region’s decarbonisation goals. It will provide well-paid jobs in local communities, including over 800 construction roles and a further 400 in ongoing operations for more than 40 years.
What are the key features of the facility?
The facility will require a site of about 45 hectares with the following features:
- Buildings for the cable manufacturing production line, material storage, offices, and a car park
- A fully enclosed 180-200m tower where the insulation layer is applied to the conductor*
- A series of large platforms for storage of manufactured cable
- A jetty for mooring and loading cable-laying vessels
- Electrical infrastructure to accommodate grid connection
- Capacity to manufacture 1,200–1,600 kilometres of cable a year
*The tower enables the critical manufacturing step of conductor insulation to be performed vertically, where the polyethylene insulation layer is applied and cured in a perfectly circular manner around the conductor. The tower does not produce emissions and the entire cable manufacturing process has a very low emission profile.
What types of cable is SunCable planning to manufacture?
The advanced cable manufacturing facility will focus on 525 kV-640 kV HVDC subsea cable for the AAPowerlink project during its first four years of operation. It will then introduce product variants including HVAC submarine and HVDC land cables.
This facility will expand the supply of advanced HV subsea cable globally and will be a critical enabler for SunCable and other high-priority renewable generation and transmission projects across Australia and throughout the region.
How much cable do you need?
AAPowerLink needs two 4,300-kilometre HVDC subsea cables to transmit power to Singapore. The current global supply chain lacks the capacity to produce the 8,600 kilometres of cable required within the project timeframe.
The global energy transition is driving international and domestic demand for HV subsea cable. For example, the International Energy Agency estimates almost $US1 trillion of investment will be required to transform the Association of Southeast Asian Nations power sector.
Here in Australia, a rapidly growing pipeline of offshore wind projects, and the government backed Marinus Link between Tasmania and Victoria, will also need HV subsea cables.
How is the manufactured cable transported?
The finished cable is spooled onto turntables to be stored before transportation. The cable is directly loaded onto a purpose-built cable-laying vessel, with a loading time of 10-14 days. This vessel transports and installs the cable.
What is SunCable’s approach to stakeholder and community engagement?
SunCable has identified Bell Bay as a potential site, and will now move forward with early stakeholder and community consultation before any final decision is made.
SunCable will engage business, government, groups and individuals over the coming months and welcomes feedback.
What will be the local jobs and industry opportunities?
It is important that the local region benefits directly and indirectly from the project. We understand the community want to maximise opportunities for training for young people so that they stay in the area as skilled workers.
We will work with relevant institutions to reskill, retain and invest in training and employment opportunities.
Can materials be sourced from within Tasmania?
SunCable is committed to the use of Tasmanian resources as much as possible during construction and operation. We are currently in discussions with Tasmanian suppliers to understand local supply chains and opportunities.
Where materials are brought into the site, we aim to do this existing Ports with transport to site via the rail line. There will be further refinement of procurement and transport logistics as the project progresses.
What will the facility look like?
We have created artist’s impressions of what the HVCF maylook like from a number of local locations to provide community anunderstanding of the view of the project (the view from Clarence Point is shownbelow with others available here.
Are there similar facilities elsewhere in the world near communities?
There are other HVCF like ours that are located in proximityto existing communities. We are collaborating with these facilities to learnfrom their construction and operation experiences. To see what they look likeand learn more about them follow the links:
What is being done to understand and minimise noise?
We have now completed monitoring of existing noise levels which has involved installation of monitoring equipment in the local area. The monitoring will inform a noise and vibration impact assessment that assesses the potential impact from the Project and makes recommendations on manage mentor mitigation measures.
As the manufacturing process is within buildings, we anticipate being able to contain most noise impacts through building design.
How will you manage the use of lead?
The health and safety of our workforce, the community and environment is of paramount importance to SunCable. We understand that the use of lead in our manufacturing process is of particular interest.
Extruded lead is a critical component of the submarine cable to protect it in its underwater environment. During operations, lead will be delivered to the site in the form of large stable blocks (ingots), which will be transported around the site via forklift and stored in a covered warehouse.
During manufacturing, lead will be handled in a dedicated area with safety barriers and safe operating methods. Once extruded using enclosed plant and machinery, it is covered by a protected layer of polyethylene to ensure no further exposure.
There will be dedicated wash up and change facilities to prevent transport of lead outside of the dedicated area in accordance with Tasmania’s WorkSafe requirements.
Where is the water for the facility coming from?
There are two sources of water requirements for the HVCF. Our facilities will require access to potable water for staff amenities. This water will be sourced from TasWater though a mains connection.
Secondly water is required to cool equipment, cable and facilities during the manufacturing process. This is intended to be sourced from the collection of roof water and recirculated in the factory.
Water will not be sourced from kanamaluka/River Tamar.
Stormwater from the site will be managed and treated on site prior to discharge in accordance with Tasmania’s water quality guidelines, while wastewater will be disposed of to TasWater’s licensed facilities.