The high potential for renewable energy generation in Australia, in particular solar and wind, and the high carbon content of Southeast Asian electricity and projected demand growth create favourable conditions for a HVDC power link between Australian and Southeast Asia. Such an interconnector would link predominantly solar farms located in northern Australia, known for its highest insolation levels in the world, to Singapore given its central location within Southeast Asia, high reliance on natural gas for its power generation, high demand growth and limited renewable potential and land surface. The current paper presents a holistic view of the key challenges of an Australia–Singapore power link related to its length, in the order of 3200 km, the water depth of sections crossing the Timor Trough and Indonesian waters, up to 1900 m, and the manufacturing and logistic issues of extensive length of cable to be deployed in a part of the world distant from the main manufacturing facilities. This very ambitious project will require a unique integrated contracting strategy involving multiple HVDC cable suppliers, marine heavy transport companies and cable installation contractors to effectively deliver this project within a sensible timeframe.
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