Project Marinus: Further Bass Strait Interconnection
- $10m Funded by ARENA
- $20m Total project cost
Summary
The Project Marinus project led by TasNetworks will receive up to $10 million of funding from ARENA to further investigate how the Bass Strait interconnection might form a key part of Australia’s future electricity and telecommunications grid.
Interconnection between Tasmania and the rest of Australia could unlock further dispatchable hydro electricity and enable pumped hydro energy storage and significant wind generation opportunities. Such potential could see an abundance of low cost, reliable and clean energy moving between Tasmania and Victoria, helping the National Electricity Market (NEM) transition to a low carbon future.
TasNetworks has released its final Business Case Assessment Report for Marinus Link that outlines that the link could be commercially and technically feasible.
This project consists of:
Project reports- Appendices – Project Marinus Initial Feasibility Report
- Lessons learnt: Tasmanian and Victorian Second Bass Strait Interconnector Feasibility Study
- Overview – Project Marinus Initial Feasibility Report
- Project Marinus Business Case Assessment Report
- Project Marinus Initial Feasibility Report
- Tasmanian and Victorian Second Bass Strait Interconnector Reports (Project Marinus)
Learn more
Reports: Project Marinus Business Case Assessment
The Business Case Assessment is that Marinus Link and supporting transmission provide substantially greater benefits than costs under all scenarios modelled and can provide a commercial rate of return to owners as a regulated service.
Reports: Project Marinus Feasibility Studies
The objective of the Project Specification Consultation report is to spell out the identified need driving the investment and potential options.
Video: Project Marinus: Further Bass Strait Interconnection
An assessment of the business case for a second interconnector beneath Bass Strait has paved the way for a 1500MW link, which could begin operating as soon as 2027.
Need
The Project Marinus project recognises that the National Electricity Market (NEM) is undergoing significant transition. Wind and solar development is increasing but is variable in nature which creates power system stability and reliability challenges. As more wind and solar comes into the market, it is critical that generation types (like hydroelectricity, pumped hydro energy storage and gas) are in place to support system stability and ensure reliable supply to keep the lights on. Interconnection does and will increasingly play a major role to meet the needs of a future Australian power system. In Tasmania, increased transmission capacity (in the order of 1500MW) from Marinus Link could unlock more low cost, reliable and clean energy.
Benefits
- Supports low cost, reliable and clean electricity
- Could ‘firm-up’ existing and new wind and solar generation by providing readily available hydroelectric power and further pumped hydro energy storage from Tasmania
- Strengthens security and stability of the network, with modern interconnector technology
- In summer, Victoria requires more energy than in winter; it’s the opposite in Tasmania. So each region can better support the other, by exporting their excess energy
- Spreads the risk of relying upon a single electricity link between Tasmania and Victoria
- Unlocks significant infrastructure development, jobs and regional economic growth
Read more
ARENAWIRE Blogs
Federal and state governments get behind Tasmania's second interconnector
Project Marinus, supported in its early stages by ARENA to boost underwater electric cable links between Tasmania and Victoria, moves closer to realisation.
What is electricity system strength and why does it matter?
It will take more than just renewable generation to build a strong, resilient energy system.
Business case for second Tasmanian interconnector found to stack up
A second interconnector with Tasmania is a step closer, with TasNetworks’ assessment of the business case finding a 1500 MW link is feasible and could begin operating as soon as 2027.
