Hydro Tasmania has announced a bold $1.6 billion investment plan to revitalize its hydropower assets over the coming decade. CEO Ian Brooksbank outlined the strategy on August 8, 2024, which includes comprehensive upgrades to ten power stations and five dams, enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of Tasmania's hydropower network.
This modernization effort is intended to extend the lifespan of Hydro Tasmania's facilities, ensuring they can continue to meet the state’s evolving energy needs. Brooksbank emphasized that these upgrades will improve the capacity, reliability, and flexibility of the power stations, allowing the utility to maximize energy output from each unit of water and respond more effectively to fluctuations in energy demand.
In addition to the scheduled refurbishments, Hydro Tasmania is also moving forward with key projects such as the redevelopment of the Tarraleah Hydropower Scheme and the construction of a pumped hydro facility at Lake Cethana. Brooksbank highlighted the importance of investing in infrastructure to usher in a new era of Tasmanian hydropower, which is crucial for meeting both current and future energy demands.
The $1.6 billion investment will supplement the approximately $100 million spent annually on operating and maintaining Hydro Tasmania's fleet. Notable upgrades are already underway at the Gordon and Poatina power stations, which are the largest in the network with capacities of 432MW and 360MW, respectively. Brooksbank noted that projects of this scale require years of meticulous engineering and logistical planning, especially when conducted in deep underground environments.
Tasmanian Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan, expressed strong support for the investment, underscoring the historical importance of hydropower in Tasmania’s economic development. He emphasized the need for continuous upgrades to ensure that the hydro generator fleet meets the state’s growing energy demands. Duigan added that this ten-year investment plan will secure Tasmania’s energy future, driving economic growth and job creation.
The Tasmanian Government has aligned this investment with its Tasmanian First Energy Guarantee Policy, which is a key component of the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future. This policy focuses on providing low-cost renewable energy for Tasmanians while ensuring that Hydro Tasmania remains committed to keeping power prices affordable. Duigan further noted that this decade-long plan will continue to support both the Tasmanian economy and its workforce by producing low-cost renewable energy.
The complexity and scale of these ongoing projects are considerable, with Brooksbank praising the engineering teams involved. He highlighted the recent achievement at the Gordon Power Station, where the team successfully lifted a 173-tonne stator, a challenging task that required millimeter-level precision and the coordination of two cranes.