Letters to the Editor:
Mercury Newspaper
93 Macquarie St.
Hobart
TAS. 7000
29 October 2001
Dear Sir,
Basslink: Tasmania must demand better
Comments by Basslink Project Manager Ian McLelland (Mercury 23.10.01, Sunday Tasmanian 28.10.01) are a few steps away from reality when viewed from a Tasmanian perspective.
The Tasmanian Fishing Industry Council (TFIC) is not opposed to Basslink but we have serious concerns about the proposed High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) undersea monopole/sea electrode configuration and its potential effect on the marine environment in Bass Strait
TFIC has taken the initiative to actively investigate the reality of the proposed Basslink technology and experiences of this type of undersea cable in Scandinavia. From our findings, the monopole/electrode system is clearly not sustainable there and in its proposed form has quite rightly been vigorously opposed here in Tasmania
Mr McLelland's claim that the Basslink proposal will use 'the most legitimate and appropriate technology available' needs to be seriously examined. If it is coupled to his other often-repeated claim that it is the economic factors as opposed to the environmental factors crucial to Tasmania that are driving Basslink, then of course the technology is likely to suit the Basslink P/L coffers very well.
This 'legitimate and appropriate technology' has been selected because it is the cheapest technology available. It has been chosen because it will ensure the best financial return to Basslink, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the British company National Grid International. It almost goes without saying that this profit will come with an environmental and potential social cost to Tasmania if the project proceeds in a monopole/sea return configuration as is currently proposed.
Mr McLelland claims that countries overseas have not banned monopole systems. Another submission about the Basslink proposal from the energy transport company TransÉnergie Aust. P/L (submission V105) clearly indicates that this is simply not true. This very interesting submission states that '...the United States of America National Electricity Code (ANSI C2) prohibits the use of the earth as the low voltage current return path'.
TransÉnergie Aust. P/L is a subsidiary of the energy giant Hydro-Quebec that owns a number of HVDC cables worldwide. Their submission clearly reinforces the well-documented environmental problems involved with this proposed technology. It goes on to state ..."As a result of such problems it is understood that no new European projects will be permitted to employ sea electrtodes."
This information independently confirms information gained from discussions with a number of Scandinavian experts during the TFIC fact-finding visit to the region earlier this year.
When questioned at a TFIC Board meeting earlier this year, Mr McLelland admitted that the Basslink parent company NGI does not have any other monopole/electrode systems anywhere in the world.
The proposed monopole undersea cable is dependent on undersea electrodes to enable the electric circuit to be completed using seawater and the seabed. The positive anode array placed over approximately 24 hectares off Stony Head north-east of George Town will produce many tonnes of chlorine and other toxic substances every year that it is in operation.
The world's foremost shark expert Dr A Kalmijn is on record as stating that the electromagnetic fields caused by the cable presents a "...worst case scenario" that will cause disruption to the breeding and migratory patterns of highly sensitive fish species such as sharks and rays.
Only a true bipolar system is acceptable for this Basslink project. Anything less is environmentally irresponsible.
Perhaps TransÉnergie should have the last word.
"Basslink is employing out of date technology that has potential for significant adverse environmental impacts. This is demonstrated by the fact that the proposed technology is no longer permitted in Europe or North America"
Bob Lister
Chief Executive
Tasmanian Fishing Industry Council
The TFIC submission addressing marine environment issues can be viewed by clicking here.