A consumer perspective on interconnector and transmission investment: Webinar resources

August 5, 2020

On July 30 2020, in conjunction with the Tasmanian Small Business Council (TSBC), we convened a successful national webinar ‘A consumer perspective on interconnector and transmission investment’ to enable TSBC to share its research on the proposed Project Marinus interconnector.

The webinar brought more than 70 stakeholders – consumer advocates as well as representatives from industry, regulators and government officials from a number of jurisdictions – to hear the analysis of Project Marinus by TSBC and its partners. Presentations highlighted key consumer issues and questions, including how to weigh costs and benefits for consumers, how the interests of consumers should be incorporated into a final decision, and whether there are better alternatives.

The analysis also points to national lessons, asking whether the RIT-T is fit for purpose for these large capital investments, and highlighting the need to engage consumers in those decisions.

The webinar enabled a timely national discussion of these issues – skilfully chaired by Catherine O’Neill (Spencer & Co), the panel included Tasmanian voices, with Robert Mallett (TSBC) and Stephen Clark (TasNetworks), consumer representatives from other jurisdictions – Miyuru Ediriweera (Public Interest Advocacy Centre) and Andrew Nance (The Energy Project), as well as TSBC’s consultants, John Deveraux (Goanna Energy Consulting) and Carl Daley (SavvyPlus Consulting)

This project was funded through our Grants Program – the reports from the project can be downloaded here.

The presentations from the webinar can be seen below as well as a video of the discussion.