Legislative Council, Tuesday 5 September 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the total absence of any reference to both Marinus Link P/L and North West Transmission Development (NWTD) in the TasNetworks Australian Energy Regulator (AER) pricing submission 2024-29 including Contingent Projects, and given the recent submission to the AER by TasNetworks for the 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2029 period, and the stated target date for commencement of Marinus Link Cable 1 being 1 January 2029, can the Government:

(1) Provide an explanation as to why there is no mention of Marinus Link P/L and NWTD as Contingent Projects in that submission?

(2) (a) Advise whether TasNetworks will address this omission, as highlighted by the AER in their March 2023 Issues Paper and also highlighted by the TasNetworks Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC); and

(b) if so, when and how will this be addressed?

ANSWER:

1) A contingent project can be identified through two avenues – a revenue determination or as an actionable integrated system plan (ISP) project.

Marinus Link P/L and NWTD were not included as contingent projects in TasNetworks 2024-29 submission to the AER as they were separately accepted as a contingent project by the AER in TasNetworks 2019-24 submission. In addition to this, Project Marinus is an actionable ISP project and is proceeding through the regulatory process under these requirements.

Section 7.5.3 Other contingent projects in Attachment 7 Contingent Projects of TasNetworks 2024-29 submission outlines the transmission developments associated with the NWTD which TasNetworks is responsible for.

2) TasNetworks has committed to sharing updated project costs, revenue and price forecasts and the revised contingent projects for the 2024-29 period with stakeholders and customers in late November 2023, prior to the submission of TasNetworks revised proposal.