Tasmania

The way has been cleared for a new generation of solar, wind and hydro projects to be developed in Tasmania with the state government lifting the legislative cap restricting Hydro Tasmania from building or partnering in new large-scale energy generation facilities.

Seven transmission projects valued at $7.9 billion are declared newly actionable in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s 2024 Integrated System Plan, to progress the 10,000 km of new transmission lines needed to achieve a net zero economy by 2050.

Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat will team with two European companies to test the waters on building 100% battery-electric powered passenger and car ferries as part of a push to help decarbonise the maritime transport sector.

Consultation on Tasmania’s proposed first coordinated renewable energy zone in the state’s northwest has begun, putting the Apple Isle a step closer to its legislated target to be 200% powered by renewables by 2040.

Hitachi Energy has been tapped by Marinus Link to provide key voltage converter technology for the high-voltage transmission project that is to augment the existing connection linking the mainland Australian and Tasmanian electricity grids.

Countrywide Hydrogen’s ambition to be the first major green hydrogen producer in Tasmania has received a boost with the state government announcing an $8 million funding package that would support the delivery of its ‘Hydrogen HyWay’ project.

The Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian governments have signed off on a new ownership agreement to deliver the contentious Marinus Link high-voltage Tasmania-Victoria interconnection project.

The Australian government has formalised a $70 million (USD 49.95 million) investment to help develop the Bell Bay Hydrogen Hub in northern Tasmania with construction of the project scheduled to commence this year with completion planned for early 2028.

The largest solar farm yet built in Tasmania is now online with developer and asset owner Climate Capital confirming that its 4.95 MW Bell Bay Solar Farm is officially exporting renewable electricity to the grid.

The Marinus Link power cable to be built between Victoria and Tasmania is a step closer to reality after the Australian Energy Regulator approved the project’s first revenue proposal, marking the planned early works spend as “prudent and efficient.”