Marinus Link flagged as priority project in Australian Energy Market Operator draft report

A number of Tasmanian organisations have praised the proposed Marinus Link in spite of cost blow-outs, after its importance was emphasised in a new report by the Australian Energy Market Operator.

Artist’s impression of the Marinus Link route from space. Picture: File

“Vital”, “necessary” and “urgent” are just some of the words that have been used to describe the need for the Marinus Link project in the wake of a new report identifying the underwater interconnector as a must-have project for Australia’s energy future.

A raft of Tasmanian organisations have highlighted the importance of the transmission line between the state and Victoria.

The comments come after a draft report from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) classified the Marinus Link project as a priority investment.

TasNetworks CEO Sean McGoldrick said the project, along with the North West Transmission Developments, was an important one.

“Even with inflationary pressures, project Marinus is a proven winner for Tasmanians’ wallets, living standards, careers and climate safety,” Mr McGoldrick said.

“AEMO weighed up more than 1,000 possible risk and benefit pathways for the Integrated System Plan.

“The one they’ve chosen has Marinus, including North West Transmission Developments, front-and-centre among its ‘must haves’.

“Australia’s energy market planner has confirmed: supporting the best possible future power prices means supporting Marinus; supporting the most prosperous clean energy transition means supporting Marinus; and supporting strong local action against climate peril means supporting Marinus.”

Hydro Tasmania CEO Ian Brooksbank said there was an urgent need for the project to be delivered.

“These critical projects must progress. It’s great to see AEMO recognising the role Marinus Link will play in unlocking the cost-effective clean energy and long-duration storage Tasmania can provide,” Mr Brooksbank said.

“We need new renewable generation, long-duration storage and more interconnection and transmission to meet Tasmania’s and Australia’s future energy needs.”

TCCI CEO Michael Bailey speaks to the media on Parliament Lawns in Hobart on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey said it was a strong supporter of the Marinus Link.

“The benefits will be long-term, with Marinus Link to unleash a wave of development, investment and construction that will support Tasmanian businesses and families across the state,” Mr Bailey said.

“We urge the Tasmanian and Australian governments to get on with the job and make sure this essential investment is delivered as soon as possible.”

Clean Energy Tasmania chair Ian Jones said, “Marinus Link is a must-have project”.

“Tasmania has a century of leadership in building renewable energy generation, and Marinus means not only can we help support other states to embrace renewable energy, but we can also continue to build more renewable generation in Tasmania to support local businesses and communities,” Mr Jones said.

“While we are leading the way on renewable energy there is a lot more that we need to do.

“We need to keep adding more renewable generation into our grid so that we have enough power for homes and businesses, reserves to get us through the tough times and spare capacity to tap into the mainland energy market to make sure we can benefit from our historic investment in clean energy.

“Clean energy is Tasmania’s future.

“The AEMO report released today shows it stacks up, and it’s time we all took a ‘team Tasmania’ approach to embracing it.”

Originally published as Marinus Link flagged as priority project in Australian Energy Market Operator draft report