Second Bass Strait interconnector included on latest IA priority list

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The Tasmanian Government has welcomed the inclusion of a second Bass Strait interconnector into Infrastructure Australia’s 2018 Infrastructure Priority List, released in March.

According to a statement from Tasmanian Minister for Energy Guy Barnett, Infrastructure Australia’s decision to list a second interconnector as a national priority project is another win for the Government’s Tasmania First energy plan.

“The Hodgman Government’s goal is for the State to run on 100 per cent renewable energy by 2022, with excess energy available to be sold to the mainland and the profits returned to Tasmanians through lower power prices. A second interconnector will help achieve that as well as further enhancing energy security,” Mr. Barnett said.

“A second interconnector would also help unlock more jobs in renewable energy developments around the State, because ultimately our Tasmania First energy plan is about lower power prices and supporting more jobs in Tasmania.”

Mr. Barnett added that listing the second interconnector as a priority will trigger further detailed assessments of the project.

“Infrastructure Australia’s assessments will complement the business case being developed by TasNetworks and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) for a second interconnector,” he said.

A report from the joint TasNetworks/ARENA project team is due to be completed later this year.