The position has been vacant since former Liberal federal minister Warwick Smith suddenly quit the role earlier this month, with Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg citing “other commitments” as the reason for the departure.

A spokesman for Mr Frydenberg said on Friday an update on the report would be provided when a new person was appointed to assess the project, but Tasmanian Energy Minister said the report remained on track to be completed by its December deadline.

Mr Frydenberg said the report was due to be completed on time in an update two weeks ago. 

Mr Groom said both the state and federal governments were “fully committed” to the joint report.

“At the recent Council of Australian Governments Energy Council meeting, it was agreed that strengthened interconnection was important to help transition the nation to a lower carbon economy.  A second Bass Strait interconnector has the potential to play an important role in this context,” Mr Groom said.

“It could potentially tap into over 1000 megawatts of new renewable generation in Tasmania which in turn could support investment and jobs as well as increase our energy security. However there needs to be a proper case to support it which is why the ongoing work on the joint report is so important.” 

The federal government has promised to fund a second cable if the feasibility study and business case stacks up.   

Franklin Labor MHR Julie Collins said Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman and Mr Frydenberg must replace Mr Smith immediately to prove the feasibility study was more than a “political fix”. 

“Any further delay will confirm this report was more about politics than Tasmania’s energy security,” she said.

Mr Smith did not comment on Friday.