The proposed Marinus Link interconnector between Victoria and Tasmania has reached another significant milestone with the submission of critical Commonwealth and Victorian environmental referrals.
The project has made submissions for project assessment under:
● Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act); and
● Victorian Environmental Effects Act (EE Act).
Upon review of the applications, both the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and the Victorian Minister for Planning will decide if further environmental assessments are required.
Marinus Link General Manager Bess Clark said: “Marinus Link is committed to sustainable development, and is following robust environmental, land use planning and cultural heritage assessment standards to minimise impacts that the project may create.
“We understand the importance of preserving the natural environment and protecting other values that communities have. We are invested in working closely with local residents, landowners, Traditional Owners and businesses to manage concerns and to listen to and learn from the local community.
“There will be opportunities for the community to provide feedback during the environmental assessment process. Details on how you can be involved are listed on our website at marinuslink.com.au,” Ms Clark said.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and the Australian Government have declared Marinus Link a national priority project.
“Marinus Link will unlock Tasmania’s abundant, low-cost wind resources, existing hydro and new pumped hydro storage facilities to provide low-cost, reliable and ‘on-demand’ clean energy to Australian homes and businesses across the National Electricity Market.
“From Cairns to Hobart, millions of Australian households and businesses will be better off with a future energy grid with Marinus Link, compared to a future grid without it.
“Along with downward pressure on prices and a more reliable grid, Marinus Link will cut emissions, deliver 2800 direct and indirect jobs in both Tasmania and Victoria, and unlock a pipeline of future renewable energy development, with thousands more jobs,” Ms Clark said.
The process for assessing Tasmanian environmental and planning matters will be determined in due course.
Background
The $3.5bn ($2021) Project Marinus interconnector is a proposed 1500 megawatt electricity and telecommunications connection between Victoria and Tasmania called Marinus Link, plus supporting transmission network developments in Tasmania’s North West.
Project Marinus involves approximately 255 kilometres of undersea High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cable and approximately 90 kilometres of underground HVDC cable. It will also include converter stations in Tasmania and Victoria, and approximately 220 kilometres of supporting High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) transmission network developments in North West Tasmania.
The current target date for commissioning and commercial operation of the first 750 MW stage is 2027-28, with the commissioning and commercial operation of the second 750 MW stage currently scheduled for 2029-30.
Marinus Link will cut at least 70 million tonnes of CO2 by 2040, the equivalent of taking approximately half a million cars off the road.
1500 megawatts can supply around 1.5 million Australian homes with electricity.