SunCable HV Cable Plant in Tasmania to Power Renewable Expansion
SunCable plans to build a new high-voltage (HV) cable plant in Tasmania to support its Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink) project. The initiative addresses cable supply shortages and strengthens Australia’s renewable energy network.
Expanding Energy Capacity Through SunCable HV Cable Plant Tasmania
The SunCable HV cable plant Tasmania will supply the 20 GW solar farm that forms the core of the AAPowerLink. The electricity will travel from Australia’s Northern Territory to Darwin via an 800 km overhead line and then continue through a 4,300 km subsea HVDC cable to Singapore.
Currently, advanced HVDC cable factories exist only in the Northern Hemisphere. Because of that, production and delivery can take up to eight years. By manufacturing locally, SunCable can shorten timelines, improve reliability, and reduce costs for this and future projects.
Grok Ventures Drives SunCable’s Renewed Focus
Ownership changes brought new direction for the company. After a split between founders, Grok Ventures, owned by Mike Cannon-Brookes, acquired full control of SunCable. Under its leadership, the focus quickly returned to completing the AAPowerLink—one of the largest renewable energy projects ever attempted.
The company expects to begin construction on the Tasmania plant in 2025 and start producing cables by 2029. AAPowerLink will serve as the plant’s first major project and anchor customer, ensuring long-term production stability.
Collaboration and Strategic Bell Bay Location
SunCable is working with global cable manufacturers to design and operate the new facility. The chosen site in Bell Bay, Tasmania, offers several advantages: a deep-water port, strong rail infrastructure, and access to abundant renewable energy. These factors make it an ideal hub for large-scale cable manufacturing.
According to SunCable, the plant will also help ease global HVDC cable shortages. “Tasmania’s location and renewable resources make it the perfect choice for producing world-class cables,” the company explained.