The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has today re-confirmed that Marinus Link is a critical part of Australia’s clean energy future.
AEMO’s 2022 Integrated System Plan (ISP) outlines that Marinus Link should be delivered urgently for the benefit of all Australian energy consumers, delivering much-needed clean energy for the national grid.
Marinus Link CEO Bess Clark welcomed the report and said it once again underlined the critical role of Marinus Link as part of the nations’ energy transition.
“This report highlights that Marinus Link will unlock Tasmania’s incredible clean energy resources for the benefit of all Australians and play a critical role as we transition to cleaner energy at lowest cost,” Ms Clark said.
Importantly, the ISP outlines that clean energy generators (like wind farms) in Tasmania can produce energy more efficiently than other parts of the country, resulting in cheaper production and downward pressure on prices for consumers.
“Australians from Hobart to Cairns, and right across the National Electricity Market, will be better off with Marinus Link.” Ms Clark said.
Critically, the ISP also recognises the benefit that Marinus Link will provide in providing increased security and reliability for the national grid.
“With recent cold conditions along Australia’s east coast and other supply-chain challenges, Australian energy consumers have been faced with potential black-out conditions” Ms Clark said.
“The construction of Marinus Link will enable the mainland to access Tasmania’s abundant renewable energy and deep storage, ensuring that we can help keep the lights on right across the country”
AEMO has also highlighted the role the Australian Government’s Rewiring the Nation Policy can play in supporting the earliest delivery of Marinus Link and the other ISP projects.
“We very much look forward to supporting discussions between the State of Tasmania and the Commonwealth Government in relation to the Rewiring the Nation Policy and the opportunities it presents for Marinus Link going forward” Ms Clark said.
“Importantly, we’ll continue to advocate that the costs and benefits of Marinus must be shared equitably right across the National Electricity Market”
The first 750 megawatt Marinus Link stage is forecast to be energised in June 2028. It is forecast to commence commercial operations from December 2028. The second 750 megawatt stage will follow approximately two years later. The timing outlined in the ISP of 2029-30 represents the first full year of commercial operation.
Background
The $3.8bn ($2021) Marinus Link interconnector is a proposed 1500 megawatt electricity and telecommunications connection between Victoria and Tasmania, plus supporting transmission network developments in Tasmania’s North West.
Marinus Link involves approximately 255 kilometres of undersea High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cable, approximately 90 kilometres of underground HVDC cable and converter stations in Tasmania and Victoria.
Marinus Link will unlock savings of at least 140 million tonnes of CO2 by 2050, the equivalent of taking approximately a million petrol/diesel cars off the road. 1500 megawatts equates to supplying 1.5 million Australian homes with electricity at any given time.