Marinus Link, the undersea electricity connector between Tasmania and Victoria, has secured crucial federal environmental approval, pushing the multi billion project closer to construction.
The approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 outlines specific conditions for the project’s construction, operation and eventual decommissioning phases.
Marinus Link CEO Stephanie McGregor welcomed the development which followed four years of environmental assessments.
“Our team has completed extensive investigations and surveys to assess the project’s impact in line with guidelines issued by the department,” McGregor said.
“The process included a public exhibition period, where submissions from the community and stakeholders fed into the conditions of our approval.”
The undersea electricity interconnector is considered a key piece of national infrastructure, designed to enable greater renewable energy flow between Tasmania and mainland Australia.
“We’re confident the conditions adequately ensure any impact on protected matters and the marine environment is appropriately minimised,” McGregor said.
The federal approval follows a positive environmental effects assessment under Victorian legislation received in May 2025.
Final primary approvals under Tasmanian legislation are expected in late 2025, with construction slated to begin in 2026.
“This is another major step forward – we are on the home stretch, and our organisation is mobilising to construct this nationally significant project in 2026,” McGregor said.
Full documentation of the approval is expected to be available on the EPBC public portal from Monday, 4 August.
Tasmanian Energy Minister Nick Duigan officially signed the Marinus Link deal with the federal government on Thursday night.
