Hydro Tasmania has welcomed the 2022 Integrated System Plan confirming Marinus Link as “immediately actionable” and noting it should progress urgently.

Acting CEO Ian Brooksbank said the 1500MW Marinus Link interconnector is a critical enabler of Battery of the Nation, Hydro Tasmania’s bold vision to maximise Tasmania’s hydropower capacity and add pumped hydro.

He welcomed the Australia Energy Market Operator’s recognition that Marinus Link would provide improved access to Tasmania’s energy resources including deep storages, helping reduce the scale of investment needed on the mainland and provide positive net market benefits.

“What we have seen happening in the market of late places even more urgency on progressing critical projects like Marinus Link.

“Tasmania has exactly what is needed - cost-effective clean energy backed by long duration storage, and Marinus Link will unlock that.

“Battery of the Nation and Marinus Link will give Tasmanians access to the lowest possible power prices, lock in our energy security and create economic benefits through jobs and regional investment.

“It is great to see AEMO also confirm the importance of storage and the vast volumes required to keep electricity supply secure, reliable and affordable,” he said.

The first 750MW Marinus Link cable will unlock flexibility in our existing hydropower system to provide the firming capacity needed. It also opens up potential for capacity upgrades for existing hydropower assets including the Tarraleah scheme.

The second 750MW cable creates the opportunity for Hydro Tasmania to develop our first Tasmanian pumped hydro project which is a 750MW, 20-hour deep storage opportunity at Lake Cethana.

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