Going to tender – a major milestone for Marinus Link – has today been announced by Tasmanian Minister for Energy and Renewables, the Hon Guy Barnett.
“Today’s announcement is a key milestone for Marinus Link, and the progress of Australia’s energy transformation to net zero,” Marinus Link CEO Bess Clark said.
“We are releasing the specifications of highly specialised cable and converter equipment to pre-qualified suppliers, with cables released today and converters to be released in early January 2023.”
High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cable and converter design and supply equipment are required to manufacture, construct and operate the 1500MW undersea and underground interconnector.
As part of the tender process, international bidders are required to work with local suppliers and businesses, including First Nations peoples and businesses, which means jobs for locals in both Tasmania and Victoria, and increased economic activity as a direct result of the project.
“We have tailored the tender process to get ahead of rising global demand for key high voltage direct current equipment,” Ms Clark said.
“We’re on track to locking in the supply of critical HVDC equipment before the Final Investment Decision in December 2024.
“Timely delivery of Marinus Link is key to realising its full benefits for Tasmania, and the broader National Electricity Market, including lower energy prices, more clean energy, more jobs and telecommunications reliability,” she said.
Marinus Link will create around 1400 direct and indirect jobs in each connecting state – Tasmania and Victoria – and more than $7 billion in additional economic activity.
Future works will also include buildings, fit outs and other supporting infrastructure and services, all which local businesses will have the opportunity to bid for.
Australian suppliers interested in working with Marinus Link should register with the Industry Capability Network (ICN) at marinuslink.icn.org.au. The ICN will provide updates to registered companies on opportunities and requirements.
Background
Marinus Link is a proposed two-way 1500 megawatt (MW) electricity and telecommunications connection between Victoria and Tasmania, supported by high voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission network developments in Tasmania’s North West (NWTD).
Marinus Link involves approximately 255 kilometres of undersea high voltage direct current (HVDC) cabling, approximately 90 kilometres of underground HVDC cabling and converter stations at each end in Tasmania and Victoria. Marinus Link Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of TasNetworks, is progressing the ‘design and approvals’ stages.
The first 750 MW stage is forecast to be built and operating from mid-2028 with the second 750 MW stage from mid-2030. Marinus Link and NWTD will cost $3.8b to build based on 2021 dollar estimates and will deliver over $4.5b in benefits to the National Electricity Market.