Basslink is the 300 km DC electricity cable connecting the Tasmania power system to the national electricity grid. It runs from George Town in Tasmania to Loy Yang in Victoria under Bass Strait and is the longest undersea power cable in the world.
Basslink is owned and operated by Basslink Pty Ltd which is owned by CitySpring Infrastructure Trust, a company based in Singapore.
Basslink transports electricity between Tasmania and Victoria within the National Electricity Market depending on the prevailing price outcomes. Hydro Tasnmania has a financial contract with the owners City Spring but physical access is open to all parties.
See more on this site about our Basslink environmental studies.
Background
In 1998 the Tasmanian Government decided to progress an electricity interconnector (Basslink) linking the Tasmanian power system to that of Victoria and the National Electricity Market (NEM) as the next electricity supply option for the State.
Following this decision the Basslink Development Board ("the Board") was appointed by the Tasmanian Government to facilitate Basslink as a commercial opportunity to build, own and operate an interconnector in the NEM.
The Board initially undertook a comprehensive proponent selection process for the Tasmanian Government. The selection process resulted in the Tasmanian Government selecting National Grid (a wholly owned subsidiary of British listed company National Grid Transco) in February 2000 to build, own and operate the Basslink interconnector.
The Board reported to the Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure, Energy and Resources and following the achievement of financial close for the Basslink Project on 29 November 2002, the Board's role was completed and it was wound-up early in 2003.
Hydro Tasmania was responsible for investigating the environmental impacts from the projected increases in peaking operations from its major power stations due to the use of Basslink. To view these reports click here.
Basslink commenced operation on 29 April 2006.