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Marinus Link gets green light

Image: Marinus Link
Image: Marinus Link
  • Posted by Dale Crisp
  • |
  • 5 August, 2025

THE MARINUS Link Bass Strait power cable project has been given the go-ahead by shareholders and received federal environmental approval.

After a period of uncertainty the $5.5 billion project, which will construct, operate and decommission a 1,500 MW subsea and underground electricity and fibre optics interconnector and related infrastructure between Tasmania and Victoria in two 750 MW stages, is now expected to get underway next year. 

Late last week the Tasmanian, federal and Victorian governments announced they had made a final investment decision to proceed with the first stage of the project, with the respective shareholders holding 17%, 49% and 33%. Tasmania’s approval controversially came despite the Rockliff Liberal government still being in post-election caretaker mode, and without a full business case made public.  

Federal environment minister Murray Watt said the project would unlock Tasmania's renewable energy resources and help power homes and businesses across the eastern seaboard. 

"It will also strengthen energy security for Tasmania and Victoria by providing National Electricity Market customers with greater access to a diverse and abundant supply of renewable energy and storage capacity," he said. 

Mr Watt said the approval came with a "comprehensive set of strict conditions designed to safeguard Australia's iconic animals, plants, and ecosystems, both on land and in marine environments." 

Marinus Link CEO Stephanie McGregor said the project’s legacy has been cemented in Australia’s energy system, economy and climate aspirations. 

“The coming together of three jurisdictions demonstrates Marinus Link’s truly national significance and benefit across the National Electricity Market, as well as directly to communities in Tasmania and Victoria,” Ms McGregor said. 

“We will continue to engage regularly with the communities and landholders along the project alignment before construction commences, which is planned for 2026.” Stage One is scheduled for completion by 20230. 

Almost exactly a year ago the company announced Italy’s Prysmian had secured a key cable supply-and-install contract for the interconnector, with cale-layer Leonardo da Vinci to undertake the 255 km undersea component of the laying of the cables between Gippsland in Victoria and Heybridge in Tasmania. The total span is 345 km, which includes 90 km of underground cables in Gippsland. 

Originally Leonardo da Vinci was expected to begin work this month. 

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Posted by Dale Crisp

Dale Crisp is a contributing editor at DCN and a distinguished maritime journalist and commentator with a career spanning over three decades

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