SunCable has named Bell Bay in Tasmania’s north as its preferred site for building an advanced high-voltage subsea cable manufacturing facility.
With all advanced facilities currently located in the Northern Hemisphere, those behind the project say the facility will help address global supply constraints of subsea cables.
SunCable Chief Projects Officer Chris Tyrrell said The Bell Bay location was selected due to its size, proximity to a natural deep-water port, rail infrastructure and renewable energy infrastructure.
Tyrrell estimates that, once operational, the facility would typically require approximately 25-40MW of renewable energy for cable production.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff believes the project “could create over 800 construction jobs, and over 400 long-term advanced manufacturing roles across a diverse range of trades, skills and capabilities”.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for the northern region and confirms that Tasmania has what the world wants,” he said.
Extensive discussions with the local community and councils are yet to take place, with the company intending to engage in consultations before arriving at a final decision.
If the project proceeds, construction is expected to start in 2025, with the first manufactured cable in 2029.
