Major industry a ‘cautious supporter’ of Marinus Link

THE Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council (TMEC) has welcomed a fast-tracked assessment of a second Bass Strait cable, hoping it will clear up concerns about the viability of the project.

The proposed Marinus Link between Tasmania and the mainland — expected to cost $3.5 billion — is one of 15 projects across the country earmarked to be accelerated as part of the Federal Government’s COVID-19 recovery plan.

TMEC CEO Ray Mostogl welcomed the Federal Government’s pledge to create a more efficient process. “For too long the pace of assessing projects has been well out of step with other developed economies attracting substantial investments. Clearly this is about the time taken to assess, and not about lowering the bar or standards of the assessment,” Mr Mostogl said.

Mr Mostogl said TMEC, which represented the state’s major industrials and smaller manufacturers, was a “cautious supporter” of Project Marinus. However, the group has raised concerns about the financial viability of the project and, in the event the interconnector becomes a liability, who will pay. TMEC also has questions around the technology to be used, and whether a device designed in 2020 can be seen as the lowest cost way to provide clean energy in 2040 or 2050.

“Determining what is black and what is white from the grey areas will need to be made to lock down the business case, including the financial and technology questions which currently remain unanswered,” Mr Mostogl said.

The Greens have raised concerns any speeding up of project assessments as outlined by the Prime Minister could undermine environmental safeguards. The State Government says the Marinus Link will inject around $7 billion into the Tasmanian economy, along with thousands of jobs. A business case jointly funded by the state and federal governments found that a 350km, 1500 megawatt cable would be both technically feasible and commercially viable.