Today we commenced public consultation on the stage 1 contingent project application from TasNetworks for the North West Transmission Development (NWTD) project.
A contingent project application outlines the amount of revenue a business seeks to recover from its customers to deliver a project. TasNetworks submitted its stage 1 contingent project application on 31 October 2025.
As part of its application, TasNetworks is seeking to recover $53.96 million in revenue to deliver proposed construction of 130 km of new overhead transmission lines to connect to Marinus Link as part of Project Marinus.
Total capital expenditure for Stage 1 activities is $970.90 million.
Our role is to review the prudency and efficiency of the proposed costs within the stage 1 application to ensure consumers pay no more than necessary. We have 40 business days from receiving the application or responses to information requests to make our decision.
Invitation for submissions
We welcome submissions from interested stakeholders on the NWTD stage 1 application by 28 November 2025. Written submissions or requests to make a submission via alternative methods should be emailed to contingentprojects
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (contingentprojects[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au)
Background
Project Marinus is an actionable project under the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Integrated System Plan. The proposed Project Marinus comprises of Marinus Link and TasNetworks' North West Transmission Developments project consisting of up to two 750MW cables between North West Tasmania and the Latrobe Valley in Victoria. The North West Transmission Developments project will comprise of upgrades to overhead high voltage alternating current transmission lines between Palmerston and Burnie. Together, Project Marinus will enhance connection to renewable generation sources as well as firming capacity.