TCCI support for Marinus Link welcomed

Guy Barnett,Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction

The Tasmanian Liberal Government welcomes the support for Marinus Link outlined today by the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Marinus Link interconnector to mainland Australia is strategic national infrastructure that will make Tasmania’s power system even more secure and provide increased access to low cost, reliable and clean energy.

Importantly, Marinus will help stabilise the national electricity grid and also help to decarbonise our emissions, helping all Australians.

Project Marinus will cut at least 70 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2040, the equivalent of taking about 500,000 cars off the road.

The TCCI is the State’s peak business body and understands the economic benefits from this project which could inject up to $7.1 billion into the Tasmanian economy, generate thousands of jobs and create broader renewable energy opportunities.

Project Marinus is currently progressing through the Design and Approval phase with support from the Commonwealth and Tasmanian governments and construction is expected to commence following a Final Investment Decision in 2024.

The full 1500 megawatt capacity of Marinus Link is proposed to be delivered via two 750 megawatt cables, laid approximately two kilometres apart across Bass Strait, and located in such a way to provide further system security.

Marinus Link will enable Tasmania to double its clean energy – unlocking renewable energy developments, boosting economic activity and providing the jobs of the future across regional areas in Tasmania and Victoria.

Marinus Link as the second Bass Strait interconnector will complement our plans for hydrogen and provide Tasmania with further energy supply and storage capability. The Marinus project will also include access to additional and improved telecommunications services for all Tasmanians.

Tasmania is already the first jurisdiction in Australia to be 100 per cent powered by renewable energy and we have a bold vision to double our renewable energy production by 2040.

Independent analysis has confirmed Project Marinus is economically viable and will place downward pressure on power prices.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government will continue to work with the Australian Government on the cost structure of Project Marinus but we will always fight for Tasmania’s best interests and we should only pay our fair share of what is strategic national infrastructure.

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