On 31 July 2023, Marinus Link Proprietary (Pty) Limited (Ltd) submitted its Stage 1, Part A application to the AER seeking a revenue determination, in accordance with clause 6A.9.3(b) of the National Energy Rules, to fund the early works component of the staged delivery of the Marinus Link interconnector.
Submissions on the Stage 1, Part A (Early works) proposal closed on 15 September 2023.
On 19 December 2023, the AER published its final decision in relation to Marinus Link's Stage 1, Part A (Early works) revenue proposal.
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. The Australian Energy Market Operator's (AEMO) Integrated System Plan (ISP) identifies significant new transmission requirements to connect renewable generation sources as well as firming capacity; one transmission project identified is Marinus Link.
Marinus Link Pty Ltd has submitted its Stage 1, Part A early works application to seek $129.8 million in revenue to deliver proposed early works for the Marinus Link project. Actual and forecast expenditure for early works activities is $196.5 million, partially covered by grant funding, with the remainder, $128.9 million, subject to the early works revenue application. Early works activities include landowner and community engagement, land and easement acquisition, environment impact assessments, technical design, procurement, and project management.
Marinus Link Pty Ltd will later submit a Stage 1, Part B application seeking to recover revenue for construction and implementation costs, subject to the project completing the AEMO feedback loop process and once a final cost estimate is available.
The staged approach has been adopted to reduce project uncertainty and is consistent with the AER's decision to commence a revenue determination process for the Marinus Link interconnector. The Commencement and Process Paper, published on 1 June 2023, outlines the process.