Sites in Tasmania’s north and west top list of pumped hydro options

Hydro Tasmania has selected its top options for pumped hydro development to support a second Bass Strait power cable.

Lake Cethana Power Station. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

THREE sites have been identified by Hydro Tasmania as the most promising for pumped hydro development as work on the Battery of the Nation project progresses.

The potential of Lake Cethana and Lake Rowallan in the state’s northwest and a site near Tribute Power Station on the West Coast will now be furthered examined through a $30 million State-funded feasibility study and community engagement process.

Within 18 months one pumped hydro project will be chosen as the best and work will begin — subject to a final commitment on building a second Bass Strait interconnector — to have the infrastructure in place by 2025.

Resources Minister Guy Barnett estimates 300 to 400 local jobs will be created during the construction phase.

“Tasmania has what the rest of the nation needs and the government is committed to using this advantage to ensure Tasmanians continue to see low cost, reliable and clean energy in their homes and businesses,” he said.

Hydro Tasmania’s announcement follows a promise from Prime Minister Scott Morrison that Canberra would underwrite the first phase of Battery of Nation through the Federal Underwriting New Generation Investments program.

The Federal Government has also put up $56 million to fast-track delivery of the “Marinus Link” following the release of an initial feasibility report demonstrating that the business case for a second Bass Strait interconnector stacks up.

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Hydro Tasmania said the three selected pumped hydro sites had the long-term storage options the future national electricity market will need.

Lake Cethana could provide 12 hours of storage capacity in a new upper reservoir, Lake Rowallan 24 hours and there is the potential for 31 hours of storage at Tribute through establishing a new connection between Lake Plimsoll and Lake Murchison.

Hydro Tasmania chief executive Steve Davy said it was an exciting time for Tasmania.

“What we have here are three very strong pumped hydro development options in the state. This puts Hydro Tasmania in a great position to select one strong development opportunity that can be ready for more interconnection,” Mr Davy said.

“Pumped hydro would not only introduce new hydro capacity into the Tasmanian system but also inject significant investment into local regions and create new jobs.”