Power cable could bring cheap and clean energy, jobs to Victoria
A massive underground cable designed to bring clean and cheap energy to Victoria from Tasmania could cut 140 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and create 2800 jobs.
Victoria
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The Marinus Link electricity interconnector, which will add 1500 megawatts of Tasmanian hydro power to the eastern states grid, is a step closer after the Federal Government pledged another $75m towards the project.
As part of a two-day visit to Tasmania, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will also announce on Sunday that the Commonwealth will spend $65m on the Tarraleah pumped hydro scheme.
The Tarraleah scheme is the first of Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation plan which aims to make the state a major exporter of clean energy into the mainland.
Marinus Link involves 250km of undersea cable and 90km of underground cable in Victoria and will deliver about 2800 jobs at peak construction.
The project which is expected to get underway by 2024 is intended to stimulate further investment in hydro and wind generation in Tasmania.
Between them the pledges add $140m in new funding to the projects on top of $60m already spent.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said making sure Australians have access to affordable reliable energy was part of the government’s plan to address cost of living pressures.
“Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation are true nation building projects,” he said.
He said the project would have enormous benefits “strengthening the economy, creating thousands of jobs, driving down power bills and easing cost of living pressures” as more energy in the market would drive down prices.
“Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation are what a Morrison Government is all about – taking real action to deliver job-creating projects, unlocking economic opportunities, securing our supply of essential services, and ensuring Australians have more money in their pockets to pay for the things they want and need,” he said.
Premier Peter Gutwein said projects would deliver thousands of jobs to Tasmania while cementing Tasmania’s renewable energy future.
“This is a significant agreement for a clean energy highway, helping to reduce emissions, deliver reliable and affordable energy for consumers, and strengthen Tasmania’s economy through new jobs and investment,” he said.
“Through Marinus Link, we will take this to the next level, helping to cut at least 140 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2050 – the equivalent of taking around a million cars off the road. During construction it will deliver 1400 direct and indirect jobs in Tasmania.”
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said Marinus and Battery of the Nation were key parts of the government’s plan to deliver a more reliable electricity supply.
“This is why, in addition to the $140 million in direct support we are providing today, we have also committed to a clear pathway for progressing underwriting of the Tarraleah Battery of the Nation Project through our Underwriting New Generation Investments program,” he said.
“Labor have opposed the Underwriting New Generation Investments program, choosing to vote with the Greens in the Senate against this program. On-demand reliable power is critical to keep the lights on and prices low, and Labor’s actions show that all they stand for is a less reliable grid and higher prices.”
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