From the sun-drenched landscapes of the Northern Territory to the windswept shores of Tasmania, Australia’s renewable energy revolution unfolds across diverse terrains, forging a path towards a sustainable future that harnesses the nation’s unique resources.
ecogeneration explores what the latest updates are on key renewable projects throughout the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
From solar farms to hydrogen projects and flagship initiatives, this territory and state are growing in the renewable space.
The Marinus Link
The Marinus Link is a transformative undersea and underground electricity and data interconnector that will link North West Tasmania with Victoria’s Latrobe Valley.
By enabling bidirectional energy flow, it will allow Tasmania to export its green hydropower to the mainland and import surplus solar energy from Victoria, providing a significant boost to the National Electricity Market.
This flexibility will help balance energy supply, reducing the risk of shortages during high-demand periods and putting downward pressure on electricity prices.
Planned in two stages of 750 megawatts (MW) each, the Marinus Link is set to begin construction in 2026, following a final investment decision in 2025.
The project will integrate Tasmania’s reliable hydro and wind resources into the broader National Electricity Market, enhancing Australia’s energy security and further supporting the state’s transition away from coal.
Jointly funded by the Australian, Tasmanian, and Victorian Governments, the Marinus Link is expected to bring $3.9 billion in economic investment and create over 3300 jobs in Tasmania and Victoria.
Alongside energy benefits, Marinus Link will increase Tasmania’s optical fibre connectivity to Victoria, strengthening data infrastructure for both regions and enhancing digital connectivity.
The Northern Midlands Solar Farm
The Northern Midlands Solar Farm, located on Connorville Station in Tasmania, is a landmark project aiming to deliver 288MW of solar energy — enough to power around 70,000 homes.
This innovative venture, developed in partnership with TasRex and led by the O’Connor farming family, will feature 677,000 solar panels spread across 600 hectares, along with a state-of-the-art battery energy storage system.
This storage capacity will stabilise energy supply, allowing electricity to be fed into the grid even during non-sunny periods, thereby enhancing grid reliability and reducing reliance on energy imports from mainland Australia.
Notably, the project aligns with “agrisolar” principles, permitting sheep grazing within the solar farm area to continue, showcasing a blend of renewable energy generation with ongoing agricultural activities.
Designed with minimal ground impact, the solar installation will coexist with the station’s farming operations without compromising efficiency or livestock safety.
Additionally, a new 220 kilovolts transmission line will connect the farm to the Palmerston Substation, while preserving local conservation covenants and natural reserves.
Approved by the Northern Midlands Council, the project represents a vital step toward Tasmania’s ambitious 2040 Renewable Energy Target, positioning the state as a leader in sustainable, land-efficient energy production.
The Cethana Pumped Hydro Project
The Cethana Pumped Hydro project in Tasmania is Hydro Tasmania’s flagship initiative under its Battery of the Nation vision, aimed at enhancing renewable energy storage to support Australia’s clean energy transition.
Located in the Mersey-Forth region, the project will leverage Lake Cethana as the lower reservoir, with a newly constructed upper reservoir to the west.
This setup will enable energy to be stored and generated on demand, filling supply gaps when wind and solar sources are insufficient.
With an anticipated generating capacity of 750MW and a 20-hour storage capacity, Cethana will provide a powerful buffer for the National Electricity Market (NEM), ensuring reliability and flexibility.
The project will involve constructing an underground power station connected by tunnels between the two reservoirs and a new transmission line linking to TasNetworks’ Staverton Substation.
Construction is expected to span six years, creating approximately 300 jobs and contributing to local economic growth.
Hydro Tasmania is working closely with the community on workforce accommodation plans and other project impacts, aiming to balance technical and environmental considerations with social sustainability.
The project will play a critical role in Tasmania’s—and Australia’s—renewable energy future by providing stable, long-term energy storage.
Australia-Asia Power Link
The Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink) is SunCable’s new and ambitious project to harness Northern Territory’s abundant solar energy, transmitting clean power over vast distances from Australia’s Darwin and internationally in Singapore.
Set to become the world’s largest renewable energy generation and storage precinct, the project will produce up to 6 gigawatts (GW) of continuous, renewable electricity.
A central component of AAPowerLink is a 5000-kilometre high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system, capable of delivering power around the clock.
Approximately 4GW of this output will supply Northern Australia’s industrial sector, spurring green growth in areas like hydrogen, minerals processing, and data centres.
The remaining energy will travel through Indonesia’s waters to reach Singapore, supporting 24/7 green electricity supply and helping the city-state diversify its energy mix. The project integrates solar, wind, and battery storage to deliver a steady power flow and has garnered extensive support due to its potential for economic and environmental impact.
Robertson Barracks Solar Farm
The Robertson Barracks Solar Farm, now operational, is contributing a significant 10 MW of renewable energy to the Darwin-Katherine electricity network.
This solar installation, the largest on an Australian Defence Force (ADF) base, is expected to meet up to 40 per cent of Robertson Barracks’ energy needs, enhancing both energy resilience and sustainability within Defence facilities.
Comprised of over 27,000 solar panels, the project not only aligns with Defence’s commitment to cleaner energy but also feeds surplus power into the local grid, providing affordable renewable energy to nearby communities.
The project forms part of a broader push by Defence to transition to renewable energy, demonstrating effective collaboration between Defence and industry partners.
This installation, supported through a power purchase agreement, follows the earlier launch of a 3.2MW solar farm at RAAF Base Darwin, marking continued progress toward the Northern Territory Government’s renewable energy targets.
Beyond energy generation, the Robertson Barracks Solar Farm has delivered economic benefits, creating jobs for local tradespeople and supporting the local economy during its construction.
Darwin H2 Hub
The Darwin H2 Hub, developed by TE H2, is set to become the Northern Territory’s first large-scale, solar-powered green hydrogen production and export facility.
Using up to 4.5GW of solar energy from an upstream solar farm, this project will power a 1GW electrolyser, producing over 80,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually.
The hydrogen will serve both Australian and international markets, helping companies decarbonise through a clean, green fuel source.
The hub consists of three main components: a downstream hydrogen processing and export facility, an expansive solar farm, and the necessary transmission infrastructure.
The downstream facility, planned for the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, will feature purified water treatment systems, hydrogen storage, an ammonia synthesis unit, and an export facility to facilitate the global shipment of green hydrogen.
With its strategic location and scale, the Darwin H2 Hub positions the Northern Territory as a key player in the emerging green hydrogen economy.
This article is featured in the December edition of ecogeneration.
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