Lemonthyme Power Station upgrade reaches halfway mark

A $62m upgrade to a critical piece of Tasmania's energy network has passed the halfway mark.

Minister for Energy and Rewewables, Nick Duigan, said the Lemonthyme Power Station upgrade is a critical part of the Mersey-Forth Hydropower scheme.

“The Lemonthyme Power Station is undergoing its first full upgrade since it was commissioned in 1969, that’s nearly 60 years,” Minister Duigan said.

“The works will add an additional 30 years on to the power station’s life.

“This upgrade is about making the power station more efficient and reliable.”

The single-turbine station will get a new turbine runner, main inlet valve, distributor, a refurbished turbine relief valve and full electrical upgrade.

“A turbine runner, for example, is the part that converts water to electricity and the distributor, as it sounds, controls and distributes the flow of water,” Minister Duigan said.

“These upgrades will increase the station’s efficiency, allowing us to generate more electricity from the same amount of water.

“Around 13 local specialist contractors have also been involved in the upgrade, providing services like steel works, designing platforms, transport frames and jigs and fixtures.”

This station delivers essential power to Tasmania and forms part of the Mersey-Forth hydropower Scheme, with this upgrade bringing Hydro Tasmania one step closer to upgrading every power station in the Mersey-Forth.

“Once complete, these upgrades will mean the scheme is ready for a new era of hydropower,” Minister Duigan said.

“Lemonthyme Power Station produces 54 MW at full capacity, and the Mersey-Forth Scheme has a generating capacity of 290 MW, which is 10 per cent of the state’s power.”

The Lemonthyme Power Station upgrade is expected to be complete by the end of 2026 with the upgrade of the final power station, Fisher, due to start in 2027.

Upgrades at Paloona, Devils Gate, Wilmot, Cethana and Rowallan power stations have already been completed.