Expert questions Marinus report

TASNETWORKS has released a supplementary report into the $3.5bn Marinus Link interconnector which one energy expert has labelled all style and no substance.

General Manager Project Marinus, TasNetworks, Bess Clark said the report was another step in the regulatory process to demonstrate the benefits of the 1500MW MarinusLink.

“The supplementary analysis shows that Marinus Link delivers benefits in all scenarios,” she said.

“The report responds to stakeholder feedback received on the Project Assessment Draft Report (PADR) analysis and takes into consideration the updated scenarios, inputs and assumptions of the 2020 Integrated System Plan released by the Australian Energy Market Operator .”

Ms Clark said it supported early works for Project Marinus being complete by 2023-24.

Goanna Energy associate consultant John Devereaux said the PA DR was released in December 2019 and a range of key stakeholders responded.

He said this latest report was an unusual and unnecessary step prior to a full business case being presented.

“It’s the same old, same old, there’s nothing new in their analysis. It’s difficult to see where they’ve taken on the stakeholder feedback from the PA DR which is concerning.

“They’ve acknowledged it but not responded to it .”

Mr Devereaux said key issues stakeholders raised included who would pay for the project, how much it’s going to cost and what are the gross cost benefits.

“You can’t find the $3.5bn figure – which they frequently, publicly use – in the report anywhere.”

He said the 102- page supplementary report was needlessly complex.