The proposed Lake Cethana pumped hydro scheme is one of two flagship projects forming Hydro’s Battery of the Nation initiative

Hydro Tasmania says it is ready to progress plans for the state’s first pumped hydro scheme, with the 750MW project set to enable power generation at “almost the flick of a switch”. DETAILS >

Lake Cethana. Picture: Supplied

Hydro Tasmania says it is ready to progress plans for the state’s first pumped hydro scheme, with the 750MW project set to enable power generation at “almost the flick of a switch”.

The proposed Lake Cethana pumped hydro scheme is one of two flagship projects forming Hydro’s Battery of the Nation initiative. The other project is the potential redevelopment of the Tarraleah hydro scheme in the Central Highlands.

Battery of the Nation is seen as being inextricably linked with the Marinus Link interconnector.

The Cethana and Tarraleah developments are part of Hydro’s vision to “maximise our hydro power capacity” and generate extra on-demand capacity to support the 1500MW Marinus Link, CEO Ian Brooksbank said. “It works hand-in-hand with Marinus Link,” he said.

“These developments will enable power generation almost ‘at the flick of a switch’, making them ideal sources to fill in any gaps in power supply from wind and solar.”

Tarraleah Power Station. Picture: Supplied

Mr Brooksbank said Hydro had already demonstrated that Cethana was technically feasible and was now ready to transition to the next phase of development, which would involve project development approvals over a two-year period, along with planning and environmental modelling and community consultation.

The timing of the Cethana project has been deliberately aligned with stage two of the Marinus Link development. A final investment decision to proceed with Marinus is expected at the end of 2024 and an investment decision on Cethana would follow.

Tarraleah Power Station. Picture: Supplied/Grace Uziallo

Hydro is yet to make a call on whether it will ultimately redevelop Tarraleah, which has been generating clean energy for the state for more than 80 years – but it is in the process of determining what a potential redevelopment would look like.

“We’re now well advanced on the first stage of activity to reimagine an exciting future for the scheme,” Mr Brooksbank said.

Hydro, which is Australia’s largest producer of renewable energy, generating an average of about 9000 gigawatt hours of clean electricity from hydro power each year, said it was progressing construction works at Lake King William and Mossy Marsh Dam that would support a possible new Tarraleah scheme and power station.

“These are necessary improvements, regardless of whether we proceed with full development,” Mr Brooksbank said.

Time nearly up to secure ticket to Future event

THERE’S only a few days left to secure your seat to Future Tasmania.

More than 230 tickets have already been locked in to see demographer Bernard Salt’s keynote address on March 31.

The event, hosted by journalist and television identity Joe Hildebrand at Wrest Point Casino, also includes lunch and beverage packages.

Bernard Salt. Picture: Evan Morgan

Hobart Mercury editor Craig Warhurst said it would be an insightful afternoon looking at a sustainable path forward for the state as it grows from 550,000 people to a population close to 700,000.

“Mr Salt is not just a demographer but an entertainer, having a reputation for delivering his future message with style and wit,” Mr Warhurst said.

“He is most famous for the smashed avocado – not as a menu item, but a pejorative term to describe Millennials happy to splash $20 on a cafe breakfast instead of squirrelling it away for a mortgage deposit.”

The trend forecaster is one of the most in-demand guests on the Australian corporate speaking circuit.

With the pandemic in the rear-vision mirror, Mr Salt says Tasmanians need to think big and take advantage of the fact the state is the only one in Australia – and most of the world – that can say it is using 100 per cent renewable energy.

The Future Tasmania business luncheon will be held on March 31 from noon at Wrest Point Convention Centre. Tickets are $150 a person or book your table of 10 for $1350.

The lunch is a key part of the Mercury’s Future Tasmania special editorial series.

Want to have your say on the Future of Tasmania? Grab your ticket here.