AER draft decisions and revised proposal for Stage 1, Part B (Construction costs)
We are taking a two-step approach in making a determination for Marinus Link Pty Ltd's (MLPL) Stage 1, Part B (Construction costs) revenue proposal, to support consumer engagement and the timely delivery of Project Marinus. This includes an initial draft decision limited to two market tested work programs published on 16 May 2025, with the remaining cost elements assessed in a supplementary draft decision.
We held a public forum on our initial draft decision on 27 May 2025. The presentation is available on our website as well as stakeholder submissions in response to the initial draft decision.
We will publish MLPL's supplementary draft decision for consultation in late-November 2025. It was originally expected in October. This additional time will allow for consultation on previously confidential information in the updated revised proposal that MLPL will release in mid-October.
At the time Marinus Link submitted its revised proposal for Marinus Link’s Stage 1, Part B (Construction costs), the balance of works, support activities and risk allowance forecast expenditure were redacted due to the market sensitivities associated with ongoing negotiations in relation to the balance of works.
Since publishing the revised proposal on 11 August 2025, the AER has continued to engage with MLPL to understand when market sensitive information can be released for stakeholder consultation. We now expect to be able to publish this information in mid-October.
Given the updated timeline for the supplementary draft decision, we expect to release the final decision on MLPL’s revised proposal on 6 February 2026. The February final decision will allow stakeholders sufficient time to provide submissions in response to the supplementary draft decision and for the AER to consider stakeholders views in our final decision.
MLPL request for concurrent assessment of feedback loop and revised commencement and process paper
On 21 May 2025, MLPL wrote to the AER requesting a revised approach to the expectations set in our commencement and process paper. The letter and the AER's response are available on our website.
On 30 October 2024, MLPL wrote to the AER requesting amendments to the commencement and process paper. On 3 December 2024, the AER decided to amend the determination process and publish the revised commencement and process paper.
Revenue proposal
On 29 November 2024 Marinus Link submitted its Stage 1, Part B (construction costs) revenue proposal to the AER.
We published an issues paper on 21 March 2025 and held an online public forum on 3 April 2025. Responses to queries raised during the online public forum are also available on our website.
Stakeholder submissions on Marinus Link's Stage 1, Part B (construction costs) proposal and our issues paper closed on 18 April 2025 and are available on our website.
Background
The proposed Marinus Link interconnector will comprise two 750 MW high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables running 255km undersea and 90km underground HVDC cables between Burnie, Tasmania and Latrobe Valley, Victoria.