Industry backing for second cable to Tas

Tasmania's future as the "renewable energy battery" of the nation has been given a boost by growing industry support for a second Bass Strait electricity cable, the state Liberal government says.

Premier Will Hodgman returned from Friday's COAG meeting to announce the case for a second interconnector is firmly on the national agenda and on Monday, the Australian Energy Market Operator joined the chorus with the release of a new plan backing the project.

"What (the) report shows is that a second Bass Strait interconnector would benefit the entire national energy market, which strengthens our case that a second interconnector should be nationally funded," Tasmania's Energy Minister Matthew Groom said.