Hydro Tasmania has unveiled its ten-year vision to modernise its hydropower infrastructure and improve capacity, reliability and flexibility.
On Thursday 8 August 2024, Hydro Tasmania CEO, Ian Brooksbank, laid out the forward plan for capital works, including major refurbishments across ten power stations and five dams.
“These works will extend the operational life of our power stations, improving capacity, reliability and flexibility,” Mr Brooksbank said.
“That means we’ll get more energy out of every drop of water, and we’ll be more responsive to fluctuations in demand.
“This will help us to support wind and other renewables in a modern energy system.”
Mr Brooksbank said the capital works complemented plans to redevelop the Tarraleah Hydropower Scheme and to build pumped hydro at Lake Cethana.
“Our incredible hydro network has played a significant role in fuelling Tasmania’s economic growth.
“But it can’t stand still in time. We must invest in our infrastructure for a new era of Tasmanian hydropower that will help meet the state’s energy demands now and in the future.”
The $1.6 billion investment is in addition to the approximately $100 million it costs to operate and maintain the fleet every year.
Mr Brooksbank said major upgrades at Gordon and Poatina were underway, with all works carefully timed and coordinated.
“The mighty Gordon and Poatina Power Stations are the biggest in our network, with capacities of 432MW and 360MW respectively.
“Works of this scale take years of engineering and logistical planning, especially when you consider they are occurring deep underground.
“A big shout out to the team at Gordon who just lifted the 173t stator. This is the heaviest lift we do and it’s a rare event involving two cranes and millimetre-level precision.”
Tasmanian Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan, welcomed the announcement.
“The Tasmanian hydro had been cornerstone of Tasmania’s economic growth over the past century,” Mr Duigan said.
“With Tasmanian energy consumption predicted to continue to grow, we can’t afford to reduce our hydro generator fleet. We need it well maintained, while being safe and reliable to ensure our state has the energy it requires into the future.
“That is why this announcement to invest in the backbone of the state’s energy generation is important. This ten-year investment will ensure that Tasmanian’s hydro generation continues to drive the state’s economy and jobs into the future.
“The significant investment will build on the important construction at Tarraleah and Cethana with further upgrades to be undertaken at ten power stations and five dams.
“This long-term vision acknowledges the years of engineering and logistical planning required to deliver this scale of works.”
The Tasmanian Government said that under the Tasmanian First Energy Guarantee Policy – announced in the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future – Hydro Tasmania’s charter has already been rewritten and hydro has been returned to its foundational principles: putting Tasmanian prices and Tasmanian jobs first.
“This ten-year plan will ensure that Hydro’s focus is firmly on supporting the lowest possible power prices for Tasmanians, while also producing low-cost renewable energy for Tasmanians, supporting the Tasmanian economy and jobs,” Mr Duigan said.
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