policy
Marinus Link Enabling Bill and 2029 Timeline for Tasmanian Household Power Bills
The legislation schedules the first power flows across Bass Strait by July 2029, with initial effects on northern Tasmanian electricity accounts expected from that date.
How we reported this
The Tasmanian Parliament has advanced the Marinus Link Enabling Bill to committee stage, with final passage projected for September 2026. The bill authorises the state contribution to the undersea cable that will link Tasmania to the Victorian grid. Residents in the north-west, particularly around Burnie and Devonport, will see the first construction activity in 2027.
The project addresses rising peak demand on the existing Basslink cable, which reached capacity limits during winter peaks in 2024 and 2025. State budget papers released in May 2026 allocate $320 million toward land acquisition and port upgrades at Heybridge. Policy analysts note the timing aligns with the expiry of several long-term hydro contracts in 2028.
Effects on household costs and jobs
Once operational the cable is expected to allow export of excess hydro power during summer and import of lower-cost Victorian wind power during winter. The government projects an average annual saving of $180 on residential bills from 2030, based on modelling in the 2026 energy statement. Local advocates note that construction will create 450 direct jobs in the Burnie region between 2027 and 2029, with most positions filled through existing training programs at TasTAFE.
Salmon farming operations near the cable landing site at Heybridge will face new environmental monitoring requirements under the same bill. The legislation requires quarterly water quality reports to be published within 30 days of collection, beginning six months after construction starts.
Remaining legislative and construction steps
The bill must still clear the Legislative Council, where amendments on land access are under discussion. Federal environmental approval is listed as a precondition for the state funding release. The government says the first 150 MW of transfer capacity will be available by July 2029, with full 750 MW operation reached by 2031.
Residents outside the north-west will notice changes later, mainly through gradual shifts in wholesale prices rather than new infrastructure in their immediate area. The legislation requires the state-owned network operator to publish quarterly progress updates on its website from January 2027 onward.