Project Marinus have released their Marinus Link Route Options Report. This report builds on the Proposed Route Overview report released late last year.
The proposed route is between Heybridge, just east of Burnie in the Cradle Coast, and Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, at or near Hazelwood.
At Heybridge, the proposed route travels underneath the shore to make a direct connection to the proposed Heybridge converter station site, at the “old Tioxide site” on the Bass Highway. The converter stations will connect to an augmented north west transmission network to support increased power flows across Marinus Link and optimise transport of new and existing renewable energy in the region.
Technology has advanced significantly since Basslink’s construction began almost 20 years ago. The new converter stations will use Voltage Source Conversion (VSC) technology, using transistors to convert between AC and DC instead of thyristors, as was used for Basslink. VSC offers a range of advanced power system stability and security features including fast power reversals, frequency and voltage control and black start (the capability to energise an AC transmission system after after a major failure).
Marinus Link is currently proceeding through the Design and Approvals stage, and provided that leads to a positive Financial Investment Decision, the first 750MW cable may be in service as soon as 2028, and the second as soon as 2030.
