Our Energy Supply Plan, combined with recent rainfall is ensuring energy security for Tasmania.
Significant rainfall during May has seen water storages begin to recover. As at today, storages are at 21.9 per cent, a 1.9 per cent increase over the past week.
Storage levels have improved by 9.1 percentage points since reaching a low of 12.8 per cent late last month.
Importantly, our major storages continue to recover. Great Lake storage levels increased from 13.9 per cent last week to 14.7 per cent this week. Lake Gordon improved from 9.4 per cent last week to 10.8 per cent this week. While this is encouraging, it will obviously take time for these two major storages to recover.
Hydro Tasmania continues to manage inflows prudently and the focus over the last week has again been on maximising the benefits of our run-of-river hydro systems. Diesel generation was not required last week and there was only minimal generation from the Tamar Valley Power Station.
Basslink continues to advise that the return to service date of the cable is mid-June. However, there continues to be a risk of further delay as a consequence of adverse weather conditions.
While we have turned the corner, we can’t become complacent. That’s why the Energy Supply Plan continues to be so important.
Hydro Tasmania and the Government will continue to provide regular updates on the Energy Supply Plan. Tasmanians can be assured we will do everything necessary to maintain energy security and that the Plan is working.