Australia, Tasmania to study 2nd link for more renewables

Australia and Tasmania will study the possibility of building a second interconnector that could facilitate the development of prospective large-scale renewable energy resources on the isolated island.

The feasibility study will analyse the extent to which the second link would address long-term energy security issues; allow the development of dispatchable and balanced renewable electricity into the National Electricity Market (NEM); and integrate with the Victorian electricity market and the wider NEM.

The plan is to also investigate how to best use Tasmania’s current and prospective large-scale renewable energy resources, and to assess the regulatory and financing issues and potential cost impact on electricity customers.

A preliminary report will be ready in June 2016, while the final report is to be completed by end-2016.

“A second Basslink connection would allow more renewable energy to be exported from Tasmania to the rest of the country during times of abundance, and enhance energy security during unexpected challenges such as the low rainfall currently impacting the state,” commented Clean Energy Council CEO Kane Thornton.

The Australian Energy Market Operator and Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will be actively involved throughout the course of the study.

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