• 
• 
• 
• 

Basslink is a 370 km high-voltage, direct current monopole electricity transmission interconnector between the electricity grids of the States of Victoria and Tasmania in Australia. Basslink was until recently the world’s longest sub-sea electricity cable in operation. Basslink is the only electricity interconnector between Tasmania and mainland Australia, and enhances the availability and security of electricity supply to both Tasmania and Victoria.

The Basslink interconnector also incorporates a 12-core fibre optic telecommunications cable. Eight cores of the 12-core fibre optic telecommunications cable are currently not utilised and have the potential to be commercialised in the future.

Basslink provides CitySpring with long term, regular and predictable revenues mainly based on facility fees most of which are derived from a 25-year term Basslink Services Agreement (“BSA”) with Hydro-Electric Corporation, an entity owned by the State of Tasmania. The facility fee is based on availability, and it is payable in full if Basslink’s cumulative availability is equal to or greater than 97%.

Basslink's main objective is to meet and exceed the 97% availability target for the interconnector. The company is also committed to maintain expected standards of operational performance. It takes a rigorous approach towards ensuring that its infrastructure, networks and systems are reliable in either meeting or even surpassing the requirements under the BSA.

Basslink is also totally committed to ensuring a safe and injury free workplace for its employees and protecting the safety of the public and the environment.

Visit Basslink website at http://www.basslink.com.au/home/

Malcolm Eccles Chief Executive Officer & Director Basslink Pty Ltd (“BPL”)		About Malcolm Eccles Before his appointment as the CEO, Mr Eccles was responsible for all operational and engineering functions on the Basslink interconnector, including leading the commissioning of the facility. Mr Eccles joined BPL in April 2005. Before joining BPL, Mr Eccles was with Siemens Power, Transmission and Distribution (“Siemens PTD”) in Ireland with overall responsibility for developing and managing a power services business in Ireland as well as managing the operations and maintenance contract on the Moyle HVDC Interconnector. Mr Eccles was with Siemens PTD from June 2002 until April 2005. His engineering career started with a 16-year stint with British Nuclear Fuels Limited. Mr Eccles worked on various power and nuclear projects in the United States, Japan and Europe. Mr Eccles is a Chartered Engineer and member of the Institute of Engineering Technology and the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers. He is a director of the International Cable Protection Committee Ltd (“ICPC”), a worldwide organization specialising in submarine cable infrastructure. Mr Eccles is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Chartered Management Institute (UK). Mr Eccles holds a Master of Science degree (MSc) in Electrical Engineering and Management Studies from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, a post-graduate Diploma in Project Management from the Lancaster University BusinessSchool, Lancaster,United Kingdom and a post-graduate Diploma in Strategic Management from the Institute of Management, United Kingdom Mr Eccles is currently responsible in determining overall business and operational strategies of BPL. He represents BPL on several business and technical forums both nationally and internationally, including but not limited to Energy Supply Association of Australia CEO’s Forum, CIGRE (international council on large electric systems), HVDC Users Group, ICPC Executive Committee, NEMMCO dispatch and pricing review group, Bass Strait Environmental Review Committee, South Pacific Marine Maintenance Association and the Marine Interconnectors Group. Mr Eccles is a member of the CIGRE B4 WG for HVDC and power electronics in Australasia.