The first step in the environmental, land-use planning and heritage impact assessment and approvals process for the North West Transmission Developments is now underway.

TasNetworks has submitted a referral under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection, Biodiversity and Conservation Act 1999 for the Staverton to Hampshire Hills transmission line. The application is now open for public comment.

Proposed transmission developments for North West Tasmania include upgrades to existing transmission lines and development of new transmission routes. The existing transmission system in North West Tasmania does not have sufficient capacity to support the proposed generation, storage and interconnector developments. As a result, changes to the existing transmission network and potential new transmission routes will be required in the region to increase network capacity and ensure the power system can accommodate the future renewable energy developments proposed for the region, including Marinus Link.

North West Tasmania is identified as a high priority Renewable Energy Zone in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO’s) Integrated System Plan. This is because the region has excellent potential for developing renewable energy generation and storage projects, including new large-scale wind generation in the order of 2,000 megawatts (MW); and new pumped hydro energy storage developments of at least 750 MW. The region also hosts the expected connection point for Marinus Link, a proposed 1500 MW capacity undersea and underground electricity corridor that will link North West Tasmania to Victoria.

TasNetworks’ strategic plan for the North West Tasmanian transmission network is part of supporting the significant jobs and investment opportunity in Tasmania from Marinus Link, the Battery of the Nation and the state’s world class wind resources.

You can view the referral and find out how to make a public comment here

Image: Project Marinus