The proposed Project Marinus energy cable to the mainland is looking "very positive" economically, technically and environmentally, according to TasNetworks.
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The Tasmanian government-owned energy transmission and distribution company is working on the business case assessment for Project Marinus, and aims to have the case completed by Christmas.
It was finalising its documentation for the business case, including technical, economic and environmental material, TasNetworks' Project Marinus general manager, Bess Clark, said on Friday.
"All the work we're doing is showing it's looking very positive," Ms Clark said.
She said Project Marinus and related transmission upgrades would provide an estimated $1 billion of direct economic stimulus to the North-West economy and create about 1000 direct and indirect jobs in the region during the peak construction period.
TasNetworks is about to ramp up community engagement about the project and the related transmission projects.
Ms Clark said it would not be taking that step unless the project was looking positive.
There has been concern from some, particularly in the Nietta area, about potential transmission routes.
Ms Clark said TasNetworks had done much preliminary work looking at how it could locate a route which worked electrically and would get environmental and planning approvals.
Visual amenity and effects on landholders would be taken into account.
She said the goal was a transmission route which could be approved.
"We want to get widespread community support," she said.
"We want to have a social licence."
Ms Clark said upgraded electricity corridors were being planned between Burnie, Hampshire, Sheffield and Palmerston, near Cressy.
"TasNetworks is currently assessing the transmission upgrades that would likely be required if Marinus Link and other new renewable energy projects are committed," she said.
Robbins Island wind farm proponent UPC Renewables would potentially construct its own transmission infrastructure to link with the "shared transmission network" at Hampshire.
"This week, we are launching our community consultation activities in Tasmania, with a focus on the North-West, to raise awareness, provide information, indicate upcoming consultation events and seek feedback about Marinus Link and the supporting North-West transmission upgrades," Ms Clark said.
"Our communications will also include potential routes or corridors for these transmission developments.
"As part of this assessment, we are consulting interested community members, businesses and landowners.
"We are sending postcards to customers and community members in the vicinity of the proposed North-West transmission upgrades to inform them about the potential developments, including potential new transmission routes."
She said the postcards would arrive in letter boxes over the next week.
"We are also conducting community pop-up information sessions and running workshops as part of our community consultations that will continue on next year and beyond."
The pop-up sessions would be at:
- The Burnie Plaza from 9am until midday on November 9;
- Sheffield's Post Office Square Park from 2-5pm on November 9;
- the Coles entrance plaza at Ulverstone from 9am until midday on November 16; and
- the Deloraine Woolworths car park from 2-5 pm on November 16.
Community workshops would be held in Burnie, Ulverstone, Nietta and Sheffield in late November and early December.
People would be able to register for those via TasNetworks' website or by calling 1300 765 275.
