Through our Energy Supply Plan the Government is doing everything necessary to maintain energy security.
There have been welcome inflows recently into some hydro catchments since the start of April. Hydro Tasmania’s storage levels today are at 13.6 per cent, a reduction of 0.3 per cent over the last week. Hydro Tasmania continues to advise that storages are projected to reach 12 per cent by early May and hold at that level. This projection assumes that rainfall will only be equivalent to half of expected annual rainfall for April, similar to the rainfall Hydro’s catchment areas have received since the start of the year.
Confirmation that Basslink has identified and removed the fault in the Basslink cable is good news. This provides more clarity and certainty around the estimated repair date, although of course there continues to be significant uncertainty in relation to weather. Basslink have indicated the Ile De Re will be back on site later this week to start the next phase of the cable repair process.
The Energy Supply Plan continues to be rolled out, with temporary diesel generation now operating at the George Town substation and at the Catagunya and Meadowbank power stations. It is anticipated that by the end of the week a total of 107MW will be available.
Work is also progressing on the second tranche of diesel generation, with 200 MW of temporary diesel generation on track to be installed by the end of April.
The 58MW Rolls Royce ‘Trent’ gas unit has been successfully reinstalled and is operating at full output with no concerns or issues at present. This is another positive outcome having been brought back online several weeks earlier than anticipated. This is a consequence of the hard work of the employees of our energy businesses.
Through Hydro Tasmania we have invested heavily in and are bringing online over 500MW of additional generation, so small businesses and households won’t need to cut back or purchase additional generation themselves.
However, it’s going to take time to replenish our dams. Tasmanians can all play their part in this effort. If you want to help conserve water in our dams, you will find some practical energy saving tips and advice at auroraenergy.com.au
Additionally, Hydro Tasmania’s cloud seeding season has begun, with a successful cloud seeding flight undertaken on Saturday 2 April over the catchment areas of Lakes Gordon, Pedder, St Clair and King William.
Hydro Tasmania and the Government will continue to provide regular updates on the Energy Supply Plan as the situation evolves. Tasmanians can be assured we will do everything necessary to maintain energy security.