Pumped hydro represents next generation of power as Battery of the Nation project gathers pace

INFORMATION sessions will be held in six Tasmanian towns as Hydro Tasmania continues its work to make this state the “battery of the nation” through pumped-hydro projects.

Hydro Tasmania will hold information sessions to guage the public’s response to its pumped hyrdo power proposal.

INFORMATION sessions will be held in six Tasmanian towns as Hydro Tasmania continues its work to make this state the “battery of the nation” through pumped-hydro projects.

Hydro Tasmania has already identified 14 high potential pumped-hydro opportunities across the state and aims to double its clean energy generation.

The electricity generator said it could have “executable projects within a matter of months” with construction starting on its first project by 2020, with a three to four-year construction phase.

Hydro Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation project director, Chris Gwynne, said social, economic and technical assessments were starting to narrow the options.

“We’re deliberately holding these sessions in areas close to the 14 pumped-hydro options. We’re very keen to hear the views of locals, provide more detail about pumped hydro and answer questions from the community,” Mr Gwynne said.

“Tasmania has huge natural advantages, and doubling our clean energy capacity will help us meet our own power needs, keep prices as low as possible, and support mainland Australia as it transitions off coal power.

“Pumped hydro will form a huge part of that. It represents the next generation of Tasmanian hydropower, and lets us re-use our hydro water again and again to create clean energy.”

Hydro Tasmania says pumped hydro would also strengthen the case for more interconnection across Bass Strait.

The first community information session will be held in Cressy on July 25 followed by events in Bothwell, Rosebery, Queenstown, Sheffield and Lorinna.

Resources Minister Guy Barnett said the Battery of the Nation pumped-hydro developments were essential to deliver the lowest electricity prices in the nation for Tasmanian households and businesses by 2022.

“To provide the community with more information on this nation-leading initiative, Hydro Tasmania will host community information sessions at key locations around the state. I will be launching the first information session in Cressy on 25 July, and would like to encourage all locals to come along,” Mr Barnett said.

“The Battery of the Nation has the potential to double our Hydro energy capacity, create up to 3000 jobs and generate up to $5 billion in investment, cementing Tasmania’s reputation as the renewable energy powerhouse of the nation.”

The information sessions will be held at the Cressy Community Centre on July 25 from 11.30am to 2pm, Castle Hotel in Bothwell on July 26 from 10am-2pm, Rosebery Community House on August 1 from 2-5pm, West Coast Community Services Hub in Queenstown on August 2 from 3-6.30pm, Sheffield Town Hall on August 8 from 3.30-7pm and Lorinna Community Hall on August 30.