Preparations for the 345-kilometre Marinus Link interconnector have reached a major milestone, with delivery body TasVic Greenlink completing essential early works at Sandy Point in Victoria. The completion of an 800-metre access route enables primary contractor Prysmian to mobilise specialised equipment for horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operations. This crucial shoreline crossing establishes the physical connection point between the 255-kilometre subsea cable spanning Bass Strait and the 90-kilometre underground land alignment extending through Gippsland to the Hazelwood Terminal Station.
Executing the coastal connection via underground directional drilling provides a practical mechanism to install heavy utility infrastructure while protecting coastal ecosystems. Contractors will drill five subterranean conduits approximately 910 metres long beneath the beach and dune system at Waratah Bay, inserting protective steel pipes to house the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables. Utilising trenchless drilling techniques ensures that state-critical infrastructure is integrated responsibly, leaving the surface landscape and surrounding marine environments intact.
A community-first perspective on major infrastructure projects prioritises careful environmental stewardship alongside regional economic integration. By routing the Victorian land section entirely underground from Sandy Point through South Gippsland to the Latrobe Valley, project planners minimise surface impacts on surrounding agricultural landholders. Furthermore, advancing this preliminary civil construction program drives direct engagement with local contractors, transport operators, and material suppliers, ensuring regional Victorian communities participate in the commercial benefits of expanding Australia’s electricity network.
Once Stage 1 becomes operational in 2030, the 750-megawatt interconnector will perform a vital grid-forming role across the National Electricity Market. The bi-directional HVDC link allows Victoria to export surplus mainland wind and solar generation to Tasmania during periods of high generation, while enabling Tasmania to dispatch stored, firm hydropower back across Bass Strait to meet mainland peak demand. Sharing these geographically diverse energy resources stabilises grid frequency, protects households from price spikes, and helps shield local enterprise operations from unexpected power outages.
As shoreline drilling commences at Waratah Bay, this milestone highlights the practical engineering required to build Australia’s shared energy independence. Interconnecting regional generation centres with heavy urban and industrial demand hubs ensures that electricity flows efficiently to where consumers need it most. Through rigorous engineering execution and dedicated regional collaboration, this generational infrastructure project successfully establishes a secure, affordable energy foundation for Australian communities to grow and prosper for generations to come.
