A recent study on the feasibility of a second Tasmanian electricity interconnector supports its construction as a measure for securing Tasmania’s long-term energy security.
The preliminary report into the feasibility of a second Tasmanian interconnector was conducted by Former Member for Bass, Warwick Smith, with input from the Australian Energy Market Operator and Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
The feasibility report finds a second interconnector would support long term energy security in Tasmania and assist in the integration of Tasmanian renewable energy into the National Electricity Market.
The report also found that a second interconnector would support the operation of the National Electricity Market and could open the path way for more than 1000MW of new renewable energy development in Tasmania.
Victorian Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt said a second interconnector could drive investment of around $3 billion.
Tasmanian Minister for Energy Matthew Groom said he was pleased with the report’s findings.
¨The investigation of a second interconnector has been a focus for the Government since we were elected in 2014, and its construction would unlock investment in Tasmania and create more jobs across the Tasmanian economy including in regional parts of the state.”
The report’s findings are subject to the successful completion of the final business case for a second interconnector and early involvement of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
The feasibility report’s release follows the first parliamentary inquiry into Tasmania’s energy problems and possible future solutions.
The parliamentary inquiry expressed concerns for the future of Tasmania’s energy due to increasing energy prices and reliance on only the one current Basslink cable.
