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Marinus Link report labelled ‘needlessly complex’ by energy expert

Marinus Link is Tasmania’s much talked-about $3.5bn energy project. A new report claims to address stakeholder feedback, but one critic says concerns are acknowledged but not responded to.

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TASNETWORKS has released a supplementary report into the $3.5bn Marinus Link interconnector which one energy expert has labelled all style and no substance.

General Manager Project Marinus, TasNetworks, Bess Clark said the report was another step in the regulatory process to demonstrate the benefits of 1500MW Marinus Link.

“The supplementary analysis shows that Marinus Link delivers benefits in all scenarios,” she said.

“The report responds to stakeholder feedback received on the Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) analysis and takes into consideration the updated scenarios, inputs and assumptions of the 2020 Integrated System Plan released by the Australian Energy Market Operator.”

Ms Clark said it supported early works for Project Marinus being complete by 2023-24.

“A shovel ready Marinus Link by 2023-24 will retain the ability to commission the first 750MW Marinus Link stage by 2027-28.”

Goanna Energy associate consultant John Devereaux said the PADR was released in December 2019 and a range of key stakeholders responded.

He said this latest report was an unusual and unnecessary step prior to a full business case being presented.

“It’s the same old, same old, there’s nothing new in their analysis.

“It’s difficult to see where they’ve taken on the stakeholder feedback from the PADR which is concerning. They’ve acknowledged it but not responded to it.”

Mr Devereaux said key issues stakeholders raised included who would pay for the project, how much it’s going to cost and what are the gross cost benefits.

“You can’t find the $3.5bn figure — which they frequently, publically use — in the report anywhere.”

Mr Devereaux said the 102-page supplementary report was “needlessly complex”.

“It is not digestible by your average consumer, nor does it outline the benefits of this project to consumers,” he said.

The report covers:

-The complementary role played by long duration storage and batteries facilitated by Marinus Link;

-Updated modelling and cost benefit analysis with scenarios, inputs and assumptions aligned with the 2020 ISP; and

-Recent project developments as part of the current Design and Approvals Phases.

Stakeholder submissions on the report close on December 7.

emma.hope1@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/marinus-link-report-labelled-needlessly-complex-by-energy-expert/news-story/d628fc73988ece50c8d3884d4f6028f6