Second Bass Strait Tender

scopeThe Second Bass Strait Interconnector Marinus Link is a proposed 1200 MW interconnection between Tasmania and Victoria.In November 2017 TasNetworks announced it would undertake a 20 million assessment of the feasibility and business case for a second Bass Straight interconnector with assistance from the Federal Governments Australian Renewable Energy Agency ARENA. The business case follows the Tamblyn Review which was an initial report into the feasibility of a Tasmanian second interconnector released in April 2017.scopeIn July 2018 TasNetworks released the Project Specification Consultation Report for public consultation which examines the case for further interconnection between Tasmania and Victoria. The document applies the regulatory test for transmission RIT-T process to determine whether the project is in the long-term interest of customers.The business case study was released in February 2019 and examines the preferred route optimum size cost estimate revenue investment test and financial model for a second interconnector between Tasmania and Victoria.The Federal Government has committed 56 million towards the project and committed to develop an underwriting mechanism through its Underwriting New Generation Investments program. The Tasmanian Government has also committed up to 30 million to support the feasibility assessment of three shortlisted pumped hydro energy storage sites in north-western Tasmania and to advance the first of these sites to final investment decision by 2021.TasNetworks working with the Australian Energy Market Operator AEMO has identified that the Marinus Link project is technically feasible. The findings were outlined in detail in the Project Marinus Business Case Assessment released in December 2019. The assessment demonstrates that Marinus Link and associated supporting transmission will support the transition to a low emissions future by delivering additional dispatchable capacity across the Bass Strait.The 2019-20 Federal Budget confirmed an allocation of 56 million of funding in FY2018-19 to accelerate the Marinus Link Interconnector.Marinus Link is currently expected to start operations by 2027-28.