Chris Bowen

Stories

Construction starts on Marinus Link undersea power cable between Tasmania and Victoria

Attended the October 2 sod turning ceremony in Heybridge

Officials turned the first sod at Heybridge, Tasmania, on October 2, starting major construction on the 750-megawatt first stage of Marinus Link. The cable will run 255 kilometres under Bass Strait and about 90 kilometres underground to Victoria's Latrobe Valley, with the first stage due to operate by late 2030.

Updated Oct 20

Australia's grid hits 80% renewable power for the first time

Built World

As of September 2026: In office, overseeing Australia's energy transition policies

On a sunny Saturday lunchtime in September, wind and solar met 80.4% of demand on Australia's main electricity grid for the first time. Rooftop panels alone supplied more than half the power, and coal dropped to an 18.8% share, a record low.

Updated Sep 22

Notable Quotes

There's no transition without transmission, and this is hundreds of kilometres of transmission under the Bass Strait which will better connect the two islands that make up Australia.

from Construction starts on Marinus Link undersea power cable between Tasmania and Victoria · Updated Oct 20

There is 'more clean, cheap, sovereign energy powering our homes and businesses than ever before.' — Chris Bowen, responding to the record

from Australia's grid hits 80% renewable power for the first time · Updated Sep 22