Big Marinus Link Bass Strait undersea survey starting

The 87 metre TEK Ocean Spirit was expected to leave the Burnie Port on Friday, weather permitting, to start its 255km survey between Heybridge, near Burnie, and Waratah Bay in South Gippsland, Victoria.

It will be the third and biggest of Marinus Link's major marine surveys aimed at finding the most suitable corridor for the cables.

Marinus Link chief executive Bess Clark said the survey again showed the project's commitment to" rigorous technical processes to sensitively design and build this national-priority infrastructure".

"Marinus Link is key to Australia's clean energy future: increasing reliability, placing downward pressure on electricity prices and cutting emissions by making the most of our high quality renewable energy resources.

"The project is critical to supporting Australia's energy transition, with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) confirming Marinus Link will deliver significant benefits to consumers both in Tasmania and across the broader National Electricity Market.

"AEMO has called for the project to be delivered as early as possible.

"The project will deliver thousands of clean energy jobs to regional communities in Tasmania and Victoria."

Marinus Link offshore lead Sean Van Steel said the survey would build on results and analysis of the previous surveys.

"The locations chosen to take samples have been selected to minimise the impact on the seabed floor, reefs and marine life," he said.

Burnie Mayor Steve Kons said Marinus Link gave Burnie a chance to play a critical role in Australia's clean energy future.

"We can be proud as locals about this national-priority infrastructure, which will boost our local economy and jobs," he said.

"Local businesses in Burnie will help supply food, fuel and services for the TEK Ocean Spirit and its crew, which will provide an almost immediate economic benefit to our local area."

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The Marinus Link company - a subsidiary of state-owned TasNetworks - said the latest survey was expected to take four to six weeks.

Australian company MMA Offshore last year won the $5.5 million engineering surveys contract.

The Marinus electricity and telecommunications link is expected to cost $3.5 billion.

The company said it was expected to "unlock" carbon dioxide emission reductions of at least 140 million tonnes by 2050, the equivalent of removing about one million petrol or diesel cars from the road.

It said Project Marinus - the Marinus Link and related North-West transmission developments - were expected to create at least 2800 direct and indirect jobs during construction and invest about $3 billion in regional areas.

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