The Bell Bay Power Station has provided supplementary generation for the Tasmanian hydro system during times of low rainfall since it was built, following the devastating 1967 drought, with the first oil-fired generator commissioned in 1971 and the second in 1974.
Bell Bay Power Station is located on the banks of the Tamar River in northern Tasmania.
In 2003 Hydro Tasmania converted both generators from oil to gas-fired with the arrival of natural gas in Tasmania through the pipeline from Victoria through Bass Strait.
The Bell Bay Power Station facility consists of two 120MW gas-fired generators. Further investment in gas as drought relief was made in 2005, with three additional turbines purchased and installed.
The facilities at Bell Bay Power Station are owned by a wholly owned subsidiary of Hydro Tasmania, Bell Bay Power Pty Ltd.
The Bell Bay Power Station site and the three gas turbines were sold to Alinta in June 2007. Hydro Tasmania will continue to operate the Bell Bay Power Station until at least 2009.
Bell Bay Power Station