TasNetworks’ Project Marinus is currently undertaking pre-qualification for the upcoming procurement process for the high voltage direct current (HVDC) components required for the proposed construction of a 1500 megawatt (MW) capacity undersea and underground electricity connection between the Australian states of Tasmania and Victoria, known as ‘Marinus Link’.
The proposed route for the project is between Heybridge in North West Tasmania and the Latrobe Valley in Victoria.
This pre-qualification process for HVDC components of the project includes approximately 250 kilometres of HVDC undersea cables, approximately 90 kilometres of HVDC underground cables and HVDC converter stations in both Tasmania and Victoria.
The HVDC components of the project will be constructed in two stages of 750 MW each. The current target date for commissioning and commercial operation of ‘Stage 1’ is 2027-28, with the commissioning and commercial operation of ‘Stage 2’ currently scheduled for 2029-30.
The preliminary lotting strategy for the project includes the design, manufacture, testing, transportation, supply, installation and commissioning of:
• CB1: HVDC submarine cables, including landfall Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)
• CB2: HVDC land cables, excluding civil trenching and land HDD
• CV1: HVDC Voltage Source Conversion (VSC) converter stations (Tasmania and Victoria)
Importantly, this lotting strategy for the HVDC components remains subject to final confirmation and may be subject to change depending on specific project requirements.
It is anticipated that the pre-qualification documents, will be available to download from TasNetworks’ E-Procurement Portal, Tenderlink, from Friday 6th August 2021, with the closing date and time for submission of responses being 2:00pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time) on Friday 24th September 2021.
It is expected that the pre-qualification process conclude in November 2021. Short-listed parties will subsequently be invited to participate in the tender process, expected to commence in late March 2022. Award of contracts remains subject to Final Investment Decision (FID), anticipated to occur in late 2023 to early 2024.
Companies will need to be registered with Tenderlink should they wish to participate in the Pre-Qualification process, note that the registration process can take up to one business day.
Note that you will not be able to access or download the pre-qualification documents until your Tenderlink registration has been successfully completed.
Any queries regarding the registration process should be directed to: support@tenderlink.com.
For further information regarding Marinus Link visit www.marinuslink.com.au or if you have any questions please email procurement@marinuslink.com.au.