Today TasNetworks released the Marinus Link RIT-T Supplementary Analysis Report, the latest report in the Regulatory Investment Test – Transmission (RIT-T) process for a 1500 MW Marinus Link interconnector and supporting North West Transmission Developments.

“We are pleased to release the RIT-T Supplementary Analysis Report, another important step in the regulatory process that demonstrates the benefits Marinus Link can bring to a rapidly transforming NEM. The supplementary analysis shows that Marinus Link delivers benefits in all scenarios,” Bess Clark, General Manager Project Marinus, TasNetworks 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 (ISP) released by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). The findings in TasNetworks’ report build on the 2020 ISP outcomes that strongly support 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 750 MW Marinus Link stage by 2027-28.” Ms Clark said

Project Marinus welcomes submissions from stakeholders on this Report by 7 December 2020.

TasNetworks encourages stakeholders to register their interest for an online public consultation forum on the RIT-T Supplementary Analysis Report, to be held later this month.

Key topics covered by the RIT-T Supplementary Analysis Report include:

• A 1500 MW Marinus Link will deliver significant market benefits under all the scenarios modelled.
• 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.
• Recent project developments as part of the current Design and Approvals Phase

Bess Clark – General Manager Project Marinus, TasNetworks

ENDS

Media contact Dan Sinkovits 6271 6271

Contact Project Marinus: projectmarinus@tasnetworks.com.au

TasNetworks has submitted a referral under the Environmental Protection, Biodiversity and Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) for the Staverton to Hampshire Hills transmission line as part of the North West Transmission Developments (EPBC Act referral number 2020/8817). The referral can be accessed through the Australian government website portal:
http://epbcnotices.environment.gov.au/publicnoticesreferrals/

MEDIA RELEASE

From Lance Balcombe, TasNetworks CEO

TasNetworks welcomed the inclusion of Project Marinus as one of three projects to share in $250 million in interconnector project funding.

“This announcement is welcome news because Marinus Link supports the national transition to clean, lower cost and reliable energy while creating thousands of jobs and attracting vital investment. This is especially important as part of our economic recovery from COVID-19”, Mr Lance Balcombe, TasNetworks CEO said

“The funding announcement further confirms the value of Marinus as a critical project to support a rapidly transforming National Electricity Market (NEM) that can deliver low-cost, reliable and clean energy to electricity customers, Mr Balcombe said

“We look forward to working with The Tasmanian and Federal Governments as this important national infrastructure project progresses through the Design and Approvals phase.

From Lance Balcombe, TasNetworks CEO.
TasNetworks welcomes the announcement by the Australian Government that it will work with state governments to accelerate Marinus Link as part of a $250 million program.
TasNetworks’ CEO Lance Balcombe welcomed the announcement of Marinus Link as one of three critical projects that would be accelerated under the program.
“We see the Project as being a key catalyst for jobs, and training opportunities as well as economic investment, particularly in regional Tasmania and Victoria”, Mr Balcombe said.
“The project will create approximately 1,400 direct and indirect jobs in Tasmania and 1,400 jobs in Victoria during peak construction.”
Construction of Marinus Link and the supporting North West Transmission Developments are estimated to add $1.4 billion value to the Tasmanian economy and $1.5 billion to the Victorian economy.
Marinus Link will unlock further investment opportunities in Tasmania, including Hydro Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation initiative and other renewable projects, such as wind and solar farms.
“Marinus Link and the supporting transmission developments will create the opportunity to further develop Tasmania’s renewable energy resources, all together worth an estimated $7.1 billion and thousands of jobs.”
“Marinus Link also supports Australia’s transition of the energy system and provides benefits to the entire National Electricity Market by enabling delivery of low-cost and clean energy.”
“We look forward to working with our State and Government authorities, industry, business and the community as we progress important work as part of the design and approvals phase of the project,” Mr Balcombe said.

Contact Josh Bradshaw – 0437145862

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From Bess Clark – General Manager, Project Marinus, TasNetworks.
In another significant step forward for Project Marinus and its supporting North-West Transmission Developments, a positive motion on the Major Infrastructure Development Approvals Act (1999) MIDAA was passed in the Legislative Council yesterday.
Ms Clark said “a positive motion in both houses of Parliament on the MIDAA Order allows Project Marinus to be assessed by the appropriate authorities, including the Tasmanian Planning Commission and the Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority.”
As part of progressing the approvals process, TasNetworks can now commence critical spring and summer surveys in the preparation for assessing ecological, cultural heritage and land use planning impacts for all components of the North West Transmission Developments in Tasmania.
The decision by both houses of Parliament to pass the MIDAA Order provides the planning instrument under which the North West Transmission Developments can be assessed. It doesn’t provide the green-light to commence construction.
The proposed developments outlined in the MIDAA are not finalised. They will need to pass a thorough evaluation process to achieve environmental land use planning and heritage approvals.
“The MIDAA process will involve further stakeholder and community engagement activities. Landowners and the community will have many opportunities to provide feedback on the proposed developments, the MIDAA process, as well as any other concerns they may have.” Ms Clark said
Marinus Link and the supporting transmission developments in North West Tasmania will unlock a pipeline of investment in renewable energy and long-duration storage developments in Tasmania. All together worth an estimated $7.1 billion and thousands of jobs.

Contact: Rowan Dix – 0436 919 980.

The Staverton to Hampshire Hills Route Options Report can be accessed below:

• Staverton to Hampshire Hills Route Option Report Overview
• Staverton to Hampshire Hills Route Option Report

After considering landowner and community feedback, TasNetworks has today announced the preferred route for a proposed new transmission line from Staverton to Hampshire Hills in North West Tasmania.

The preferred route seeks to balance a range of objectives and reduce impacts, on landowners, local communities, and the environment.

TasNetworks CEO Lance Balcombe said the company has listened to the concerns of landowners, businesses and the community and has made variations to the initial proposed route for the proposed new Staverton to Hampshire Hills transmission line development.

“The preferred route now traverses more kilometres of commercial forestry land than the initial proposed route that TasNetworks consulted on in late 2019 and early 2020.

“This means less impact on directly affected small private landowners with the overwhelming proportion of the preferred route passing through commercial forestry estates and Crown Land,” Mr Balcombe said.

Mr Balcombe said the proposed new transmission development, which would be part of TasNetworks’ shared network in the future, is required in order to unlock Tasmania’s abundant renewable energy and storage resources, and provide further electricity and telecommunications connection with mainland Australia.

“The development would also be part of supporting the significant jobs, skills and investment opportunity in Tasmania from the development of Marinus Link, the Battery of the Nation pumped hydro and the state’s world class wind resources.

“Together these renewable energy projects will create thousands of jobs, many of which will be in North West Tasmania,” Mr Balcombe said.

TasNetworks recently welcomed the release of the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) 2020 Integrated System Plan (ISP), which confirms Marinus Link and the supporting transmission developments in North West Tasmania as critical to support a rapidly transforming National Electricity Market (NEM).

This work on the Staverton to Hampshire Hills route forms part of the critical early works required to progress the proposed North West Tasmania transmission developments, which are needed to support Marinus Link and the implementation of TasNetworks’ strategic transmission plan for North West Tasmania.

“These projects will deliver low-cost, reliable and clean energy for Tasmania and the broader National Electricity Market, as part of Australia’s energy transition.

“We are listening to community and landowner feedback and remain committed to communicating in a transparent, respectful, and timely manner in context of COVID-19, and to working with the community to realise the benefits this project can bring,” Mr Balcombe said.

The final route and location of supporting infrastructure will be further defined as the design and approvals process progresses, and is considered for approval under relevant Commonwealth and State environmental, land use planning and cultural heritage assessment frameworks.

The Tasmanian Government received $56 million from the Australian Government to progress with this work, with TasNetworks leading the delivery of Project Marinus.

More information on Marinus Link and the North West Transmission Developments can be found here.

ENDS

Media contact
Dan Sinkovits| 0417 767 124

The team from Project Marinus gathered, both physically and remotely, at the newly-opened Crowne Plaza Hobart this morning (1 July) to mark a major milestone in the Project’s life – as the project now moves into the Design and Approvals phase.

The Design and Approvals phase undertakes the various activities required to achieve an investment decision for Marinus Link and the supporting Tasmanian transmission development. The project is targeting an investment decision in the mid 2020s so the link can commence service from the late 2020s.

The celebration recognised and thanked everyone who worked directly or indirectly to enable the project to meet this important milestone.

Already, there has been significant dedication and hard work put into Project Marinus, to get the project to where it is today.  2019 and 2020 threw up many challenges for the project to navigate – across political, energy market and natural environment spectrums, and of course the challenges of COVID-19. 

Despite these challenges, in the last 12 months the Project Marinus team has achieved much.  As we start the Design and Approval phase, we are in good shape:

• Our shareholder Ministers have confirmed that Project Marinus is a high priority for Tasmania, setting a target of doubling the State’s renewable energy production, backed by Marinus Link;
• AEMO has recognised the need to progress Marinus Link to be shovel ready; and
• The Prime Minister has announced that the Commonwealth will fast track the Marinus environmental approvals process, with the project recognised as priority infrastructure to support Australia’s COVID-19 recovery.

This is a great achievement for the team, the business and our shareholders. 

Project Marinus is a once in a generation opportunity for our state and a critical project for Australia’s energy future. It will support the prosperity of regional economies in Tasmania and Victoria, and a clean, reliable and affordable energy sector for Australia.

We’re looking forward to working together to achieve a successful Design and Approvals phase.

TasNetworks welcomes the announcement by the Australian Government to streamline the approvals process for Marinus Link, as part of a plan to drive economic recovery and stimulate jobs in the wake of COVID-19.

Project Marinus General Manager Bess Clark welcomed the inclusion of Marinus Link in the announcement made by the Prime Minister.

“We see the Project as being a key catalyst for jobs, and training opportunities as well as economic investment, particularly in regional Tasmania and Victoria”, Ms Clark said.

“It’s wonderful to see Marinus Link listed alongside other critical major infrastructure projects that will bring benefits to the Nation, including jobs and economic stimulus at a time when we are all feeling the impact of COVID-19.”

TasNetworks is working closely with its owners, the Tasmanian Government, to progress renewable energy sector jobs and training opportunities, and the significant broader economic investment from the construction of Marinus Link and supporting transmission in Tasmania and Victoria.

Marinus Link will unlock further investment opportunities in Tasmania, including Hydro Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation initiative and other renewable projects, such as wind and solar farms.

“Tasmania has tremendous wind and hydro resources, as well as the potential for pumped hydro storage and hydrogen production. The full potential can only be unlocked by building Marinus Link.” TasNetworks CEO, Lance Balcombe said.

“Together these renewable energy projects will create thousands of jobs, many of which will be in North West Tasmania and regional Victoria.”

“Marinus Link also supports Australia’s transition of the energy system and provides benefits to the entire National Electricity Market by enabling delivery of low-cost, reliable and clean energy.”

Tasmania has received $56 million in federal funding to progress Marinus Link into the Design and Approvals stage, which aims to deliver a ‘shovel ready’ Marinus Link by the mid-2020s.

“We look forward to working with our State and Government authorities, industry, business and the community as we progress important environmental and planning approvals processes,” Mr Balcombe said.

ENDS

Media contact

Dan Sinkovits | 0417 767 124
daniel.sinkovits@tasnetworks.com.au