Sun shines on a Southern Hemisphere first
Bell Bay chosen as the preferred location for a $2 billion SunCable project.
November 8, 2023
By Rachel Williams
The first subsea cable facility in the Southern Hemisphere could soon be built on our doorstep, with Bell Bay chosen as the preferred location for a $2 billion SunCable project.
Construction could start as early as 2025 with the first manufactured cable delivered in 2029.
Dorset Commissioner Andrew Wardlaw said the council was excited about the project, set to provide 800 construction jobs and over 400 long-term advanced manufacturing roles.
“A multi-billion dollar factory in Bell Bay would economically strengthen the North-East region, and would provide a possible catalyst for other sustainable energy projects in the region,” Mr Wardlaw said.
“The proposed ACEN wind farm project in the Dorset municipality post construction would generate more energy than current Tasmanian requirements.
“Therefore, additional industry such as the possible SunCable project in Bell Bay, along with the Marinus Link Project, are a pre-requisite to ensure excess power generation is either utilised by new industry in the Bell Bay area, or exported via the proposed Marinus Link Project.”
George Town Mayor Greg Kieser said he was confident the community would welcome the project.
“This is what Bell Bay is about, this is what George Town is about. We have an industrial history with a world-class port that has all of the right ingredients to attract and support new industry on a global scale,” he said.
“Projects such as these are exactly what all levels of government and the Bell Bay Advanced Zone, through its strategies and plans for advanced manufacturing and green industry, have been championing for Bell Bay.”
“I have been impressed by the extensive research SunCable has completed to date, understanding that Tasmanians value highly their natural and cultural environs and am pleased to learn the facility is a green operation with a green footprint.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said it was an extraordinary opportunity for the northern region while Deputy Premier and Bass MHA, Michael Ferguson, said the positive economic impact of the project would be felt in the region for generations to come.
“SunCable’s manufacturing facility would inject billions into the Tasmanian economy and I’m sure numerous Tasmanian businesses will see the flow on benefits of having such a project in our State.
“This project would provide an exciting career path for the next generation of kids in the Tamar region and Tasmania more broadly.”
The construction of a purpose-built facility aims to help solve global supply constraints of high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable.
SunCable’s flagship development project, Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink), needs a HVDC transmission system to deliver renewable energy from Darwin and Singapore.
SunCable’s website said that all advanced HVDC subsea cable facilities were located in the Northern Hemisphere.
The proposed facility would include workshop buildings for the cable manufacture, storage, testing and supporting offices; customised port facilities for the transport of finished product loaded on specialised cable laying vessels; and a tower for the critical vertical manufacturing processes.
SunCable Chief Projects Officer, Chris Tyrrell, said consultation with local communities and stakeholders would start soon.
“We welcome further input and feedback before proceeding with a final decision and subsequent development applications,” Mr Tyrrell said.