Hydro Tasmania is confident that despite the long-term drought it will maintain security of supply through the dry months of summer and autumn following near average spring rains.

Hydro Tasmania Manager Energy Resources, David Marshall, said hydro storages had received 95 per cent of expected rainfall for spring with storages rising by almost seven per cent from 1 September. They currently stand at 29.3 per cent, similar to the same time last year.

The period between October 2007 and May 2008 was the driest in terms of hydro storage for 75 years. It was followed by the driest winter on record, however supply was maintained without the need for any form of power restrictions.

Mr Marshall said Hydro Tasmania’s power needs would continue to be met with a combination of hydropower, Basslink and the gas-fired Bell Bay Power Station.

“We are very confident that barring any unforeseen event like a massive Basslink failure we will have no problems providing power to the State,” he said.

“Basslink continues to be crucial to maintaining security of supply. While it was primarily used for importing power during most of spring, there were opportunities in September to export energy to minimise the amount of water wasted spilling over the dams during heavy rains.” 

Mr Marshall said Bell Bay Power Station would provide valuable support.

He said the current shutdown of one unit was unfortunate but such faults had been part of Hydro Tasmania’s contingency planning for some years given the age of the equipment.

“The age of the plant means that there is always a greater chance of faults arising,” Mr Marshall said. “Our planning always takes this lower reliability into account and so takes a conservative view of how much support Bell Bay will contribute”

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