The Marinus Link project is the second electricity interconnector across the Bass Strait. The project spans 345 kilometres, comprising two 750-megawatt transmission lines, to be delivered in two stages, between Burnie in Tasmania and Hazelwood in Victoria, with stage one having reached financial close in 2025. The project also includes supporting network upgrades in Tasmania and Victoria. The delivery of the Marinus Link aims to support future energy security in the National Electricity Market (NEM) by enabling Tasmania to import excess supply of solar and wind produced interstate, while also enabling Tasmania’s hydro and storage capacity to provide firming for the NEM.
The Judging Panel commended Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, Clayton Utz, Page Seager and the Australian Government Solicitor for their advisory services to address the unique regulatory, governance and funding and financing challenges of Marinus Link. This included the development of a new cost allocation framework and coordinating innovative legal solutions. The Panel highlighted that the multidisciplinary advice enabled the project to reach financial and commercial certainty.