TasNetworks is delighted to announce four new members as part of the newly constituted Marinus Link Pty Ltd (MLPL) Board.

The creation of the new independent MLPL Board is a further key development in progressing this project of national significance.

The new Marinus Link Pty Ltd Board members are:

• Ms Samantha Hogg (Chair)
• Dr Collette Burke (Commonwealth nominee)
• The Hon Warwick Smith AO (Commonwealth nominee)
• Mr Kevin Kehl (TasNetworks Board representative)

“This new Board brings a wealth of experience in renewable energy, infrastructure and across Australian and international business sectors more broadly,” TasNetworks Board Chair, Roger Gill said.

“Under the stewardship of this team, Marinus Link will continue to progress as a critical infrastructure project to help Australia transition to a clean, low cost and reliable energy future.”

Samantha Hogg brings deep knowledge of energy infrastructure to the role of Chair following her recent Director roles on the boards of Hydro Tasmania and Infrastructure Australia and currently chairs Tasmanian Irrigation. Born and bred in Tasmania, she has grown her business career interstate and internationally before returning home in 2014.

“Sam is a proud Tasmanian and the right person to help lead this important project that will benefit Australians right across the National Electricity Market, including here in Tasmania, through further downward pressure on electricity prices, improved data connectivity, increased investment opportunity and hundreds of new jobs in regional Tasmania” Mr Gill said.

The Marinus Link Pty Ltd Board includes two Commonwealth nominees to reflect the Australian Government’s welcomed policy and funding support of the project. They include senior Australian business leader and former Commonwealth Government Minister, The Honourable Warwick Smith AO and Dr Collette Burke, who has been Victoria’s Chief Engineer and has more than 25 years’ experience in engineering construction.

Kevin Kehl, a current TasNetworks Board member, also joins the MLPL Board. Kevin brings more than 40 years’ experience in the energy industry across the distribution and transmission networks sector.

Last year, Marinus Link Pty Ltd was established as an operating subsidiary business of TasNetworks Pty Ltd, wholly owned by the State of Tasmania. At that time, the Marinus Link team transferred to the new subsidiary, and Bess Clark was appointed inaugural CEO.

Background

The $3.8 billion ($2021) Project Marinus interconnector is a proposed 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.  The Australian Energy Market Operator’s June 2022 Integrated System Plan identified that Project Marinus delivers $4.5 billion in net benefits to the national electricity market, and is part of the optimal development path for Australia’s transmission grid.

Marinus Link involves approximately 255 kilometres of undersea high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable route, approximately 90 kilometres of underground HVDC cable route 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.