The Hodgman Government is committed to maintaining Tasmania’s energy security after a spring of record-low rainfalls and the ongoing repair of the Basslink cable.
Our Energy Supply Plan, developed in conjunction with Hydro Tasmania, sets out the measures we are taking to ensure the state’s energy needs are met and outlines the contingencies we have in place to deal with the risks we are facing.
Yesterday, the Executive Council approved an extension of regulation seven of the Electricity Supply Industry Regulations 2008 to fast track development necessary to install temporary generation required under the Energy Supply Plan. Regulation seven contains exemptions from the requirement to obtain development approval for work associated with both powerlines and substations.
The extension will allow the temporary installation of diesel generators at several locations across the state without planning development approval, as the statutory time periods required for consideration of such an application would not allow Hydro Tasmania to install the diesel generators in the necessary timeframe.
The exemption is approved on the basis that the generators are to be operated on a temporary basis.
As outlined in the Energy Supply Plan, the diesel generation is just one of the contingencies put in place to secure the state’s energy needs and its use will be dependent on other factors such as when Basslink is restored and how much rainfall the state has.
While the costs associated with installing the diesel generators are significant, they are a prudent response to a very difficult situation, and it is because of our strong budget management that we have the means to respond to the unexpected such as this.
Hydro and the Government will provide regular updates on the ESP as the situation evolves over coming weeks and months. Tasmanians can be assured we will do everything necessary to maintain energy security.