Our history

Thousands of people – locals and those displaced by wars or seeking better lives – built Tasmania’s hydropower schemes. Many of these families still call Tasmania home and have new generations who work with us, like their parents and grandparents did.  

Over the years, we have employed more than 30,000 people and shaped Tasmania. We’ve powered industries and communities, and built roads and towns where there were none before.  

We will always be here to power Tasmania.

The streets of Tasmania slowly began to be lit by electricity, through privately owned generators like the Duck Reach Power Station. When a small electricity company facing financial trouble was purchased by the Tasmanian Government, the Hydro-Electric Department was born.  

Our new power stations revolutionised farms, mills, mines and factories through the 1920s. Household demand grew rapidly through the ’30s, but war time made equipment, materials, expertise and labour hard to get.  

Continuing electricity demand spurred new developments and focus grew on environmental impacts. When a new development on the Gordon River was proposed, communities were divided. The future of the Franklin River was argued on the national stage, and the dam was prevented by the High Court in 1983.

The age of dam construction in Tasmania came to an end. At the peak, over 5,200 people were employed by Hydro Tasmania. In 1994, our last power station was named Tribute, honouring the service and sacrifices of thousands of workers. 

Now we are Australia’s largest generator of renewable energy – but demand for clean, reliable and affordable electricity keeps growing. We are progressing new initiatives to meet Tasmania’s future electricity needs and unlock new renewable projects with Marinus Link, which will deliver additional interconnection between Tasmania and the mainland.

We will continue to power Tasmania and Tasmanians for generations.