The Tasmanian Government has rushed through approval of the controversial Marinus Link project.
The decision, which commits Tasmania to a multi-billion dollar spend, was made without parliamentary approval. The whole-of-state business case had not been released before the decision with only a ‘financially-redacted’ version available.
The Premier and the Minister for Energy both claimed the deal will be economically positive for Tasmania.
Various entities who stand to benefit financially from the construction and operation of Marinus Link welcomed the news.
The Bob Brown Foundation labelled it a ‘dud’ financially, with campaigner Scott Jordan saying that “state and federal governments (have) fall(en) over themselves to give a $5 billion gift to overseas-owned and -backed wind farm developers.”
Statements on the issue are reproduced below.
Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier; Nick Duigan, Minister for Energy and Renewables, 1 August 2025
Tasmania secures significant agreement for Marinus
The Tasmanian Government has secured a landmark agreement to progress Project Marinus, ensuring the project protects Tasmanian power prices while delivering significant economic benefits.
In a massive win for Tasmania, a new agreement has been struck with the Australian Government to green light the project’s construction, delivering almost half a billion dollars in additional benefits to the State.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the Tasmanian Government has secured a landmark agreement to progress the Project.
“We have worked closely with the Australian and Victorian Governments to ensure Marinus stacks up for Tasmanians,” Premier Rockliff said. “Marinus will deliver lower power prices, create more than 2,000 jobs in Tasmania, generate huge economic stimulus and deliver intergenerational energy infrastructure.”
“It is estimated an additional $470 million will be added to the state’s bottom line each year on average, ensuring we can invest more in hospitals, schools, roads and keep power prices low.
“All these benefits to Tasmania are being delivered from Tasmania’s capped $103 million investment into Marinus.
“We will always be in the corner of Tasmanians. This agreement is a win for investment, a win for jobs and a win for keeping our power prices low.”
This landmark agreement means the Australian Government will now pay its share of the North West Transmission Development (NWTD), which is a crucial part of Project Marinus.
Under the Marinus agreement:
- Tasmanian households and small businesses will pay lower power prices with Marinus than without it;
- Tasmanian taxpayers no longer need to contribute further equity into the project while retaining our shareholder say in key decisions affecting Tasmanians;
- The costs of the NWTD are fairly shared;
- A $346 million grant to the State to develop the NWTD;
- $650 million additional concessional financing for Tarraleah;
- More than 7GW of private sector energy investment is unlocked; and
- Economic benefits and Hydro profit returns are protected.
Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan, said Project Marinus is critical to our state’s energy future.
“Marinus provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create jobs, industries and grow our economy to support the lifestyle that Tasmanians expect and deserve,” Minister Duigan said.
“It will deliver the energy Tasmania needs to grow and for our communities to continue to electrify, while ensuring that our State reaps the benefits of our unique energy assets and their contribution to Australia’s renewable energy transition. With this deal in place, I can confirm Tasmania has made a positive final investment decision, agreeing to move the project forward to construction.”
A thorough and detailed analysis undertaken by RecFIT and Treasury, along with independent consultants, shows that Marinus will work to keep Tasmanian power prices low while creating an economic boon for our state.
Economic stimulus, resulting from an additional investment of approximately $4.4 billion in Tasmania, is forecast, along with an increase in Hydro profits that will directly benefit our state’s bottom line.
The benefits from Project Marinus will flow to every Tasmanian household through lower power prices and increased dividends from Hydro Tasmania.
Project Marinus documents: www.recfit.tas.gov.au/what_is_
Media release – TasICT , 1 August 2025
Marinus Data Cable Welcomed for Tech Jobs
Tasmania’s tech sector has welcomed the green light for the Marinus data cable saying it delivers the first government-owned high-capacity data connection from Tasmania to the world.
TasICT CEO Russell Kelly said that Marinus Link included a fibre optic connection that would provide significant additional data capacity, price competition and diversity of network route supporting Tasmania’s digital economy.
“TasICT supports Marinus Link providing it is economically and environmentally sustainable,” Mr Kelly said.
“Now that it has a green light – it’s imperative that Marinus Link adopts a proactive approach in all commercial telecommunications arrangements, ensuring that the telecommunications aspects are managed as being of significant value and not merely an adjunct to its primary function of electricity transfer.”
Mr Kelly said the lack of information was causing community division and called on the Tasmanian Government to publish the business case for Marinus Link immediately so that all Tasmanians could get a better understanding of the project.
“Currently, Tasmania largely relies on Telstra’s two undersea cables to link to the world. Marinus Link will provide additional choice for businesses seeking to set up and expand operations in Tasmania and help de-risk their operations from network outages.
“When it comes to data, Tasmania currently has most of its eggs in one basket – and Marinus will change that, providing resilience and choice backed by government.”
“The link can help Tasmania attract and keep smart technology businesses and grow employment in all industry sectors.
“If done correctly, the Marinus data cable can also attract data centres to Tasmania that are booming because of the phenomenal growth in the use of Artificial Intelligence – creating job opportunities for related infrastructure trades such as electricians, data technicians, plumbers, air conditioning technicians and a range of building trades.
“And over time the Marinus data cable can help create the right ecosystem to grow tech businesses here and attract new ones – creating high-paying and productive jobs for software developers, data scientists, cloud engineers, cyber security professionals, designers, developers, network administrators, product managers and support specialists – not to mention the right conditions for start up and scale up technology businesses.
“Tasmanian households’ average consumption of data has increased by approximately 500% in the last decade and more cable connections including from private investors will need to be encouraged to keep track with this demand.”
Media release – Teeny Brumby, Mayor of Burnie Council, 1 August 2025
Marinus Link Announcement
I’m absolutely thrilled to confirm that Marinus Link is going ahead and it’s happening right here in Burnie.
As Mayor, I’ve long championed this once-in-a-century opportunity to shift the trajectory of the north-west coast. Marinus is not just another infrastructure project it’s catalytic. It unlocks unprecedented economic, environmental and social benefits for our region.
This billion-dollar investment will not only deliver hundreds of jobs and new industry opportunities, but it will also position our region at the forefront of Australia’s renewable energy future. It paves the way for further innovation and sustainable growth right here on the coast.
I am genuinely relieved and deeply proud that this transformative step is launched in Burnie a powerful signal that our region matters and has a central role to play in shaping Tasmania’s and Australia’s energy future.
Media release – Hydro Tasmania, 1 August 2025
HYDRO TASMANIA WELCOMES GREEN LIGHT FOR MARINUS
Hydro Tasmania today welcomed the announcement by the Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian governments that they would proceed with investment in Marinus Link.
Hydro Tasmania CEO, Rachel Watson, said Marinus Link and the North-West Transmission Development were critical investments in Tasmania’s energy future.
“A modern energy system that meets growing demand, keeps prices as low as possible and mitigates climate risks will require a combination of interconnection, transmission and flexible hydro capacity working in concert with wind and solar,” Ms Watson said.
“Marinus will deliver additional resilience during dry conditions, allowing Hydro Tasmania to strategically manage water levels in our dams.
“And critically, it will help attract the new wind and solar generation we need to complement our hydro network and grow the state’s generation capacity.
Ms Watson said the investment would also unlock greater access to the National Electricity Market (NEM) to increase revenue returns and bolster the Tasmanian budget.
“When we trade electricity, we buy and sell for short periods that generally offset each other over time. It doesn’t impact energy availability in Tasmania.
“We take excess power from the mainland when their wind and solar are working overtime and save the precious water in our dams. We sell energy back when demand spikes and the price goes up.
“Hydro Tasmania’s profits are returned to the people of Tasmania through our dividend, so the Government can spend more on vital infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and housing.”
Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 1 August 2025
Secretive Marinus deal means higher power prices and fast-tracked environmental destruction.
The secretive Marinus deal signed by the caretaker Rockliff Government, in breach of caretaker conventions, will result in higher power prices and a fast-tracking of the energy industrialisation of northern Tasmania’s wild places.
“Since 2018, experts have been telling us that Marinus was a dud for Tasmania, and not needed by the mainland, but yet again we see this state and federal governments fall over themselves to give a $5 billion gift to overseas-owned and backed wind farm developers,” said Bob Brown Foundation Campaigner Scott Jordan.
“Both Christine Milne and energy expert Bruce Mountain have shown that the project does not stack up economically. We know that Tasmanian households will be left footing the bill. The fact that the Rockliff Government refused to release the business case tells us that they don’t want the public to see just how bad this deal is.”
“Tasmanian households will be paying for the federal government share through their federal taxes, the state contribution through their state taxes, and for the 84% Clean Energy Finance Corporation loan through increases to their power bills, while the overseas energy corporations plunder our environment and get a taxpayer-funded connector to send power to mainland Australia.”
“This deal foreshadows the now imminent approval of the Robbins Island wind farm, and approvals for the criss-crossing of northern Tasmania with new high voltage powerlines. These will destroy hundreds of hectares of forests, increase eagle deaths, and on Robbins Island, push the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot into the history books.”
“The environment pays, the budget pays, Tasmanian families pay, and proper democratic processes pay for this $5 billion dollar freebee to foreign corporations,” said Scott Jordan.
Media release – Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), 1 August 2025
Marinus a game-changer for Tasmania
The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) has welcomed Tasmania’s commitment to Marinus Link and the North West Transmission Development.
TCCI CEO, Michael Bailey, said Marinus Link was a game-changer for Tasmania and something the TCCI has been supportive of for many years.
“Make no mistake, Marinus Link will be a pivotal moment in the history of Tasmania,” Mr Bailey said.
“Marinus will unlock billions of dollars in investment, new energy generation projects and create a jobs pipeline for decades to come.
“Hydro-industrialisation helped build and define Tasmania in the 20th century. Marinus Link will do the same in the 21st century.
“Tasmania’s energy generation isn’t keeping up with demand. Marinus Link will underpin new generation projects and help grow the economy and support businesses around the State that need more energy.
“We also welcome the Australian Government’s commitment to this project and its support, which recognises the fact that this is nationally significant infrastructure and therefore Tasmanian taxpayers should only pay their fair share, with the rest of the country making a bigger contribution.”
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