At more than 100 tonnes and standing 4.8 metres high and 5.8 metres wide, the valve is one of the largest and heaviest pieces of equipment ever transported to a Tasmanian hydropower station.  

Its successful arrival marks a major milestone in the Gordon Power Station upgrade project and the culmination of years of planning, engineering and international collaboration. 

The valve's journey began in Europe, where components were manufactured, assembled and tested across Portugal, Spain and Austria. From there, it was shipped from Belgium, travelling around Africa before reaching Melbourne and then Tasmania.  

A long and slow journey 

Getting it to Strathgordon was a feat in itself. 

Working alongside local Tasmanian business Gradco, the massive load was carefully moved from Devonport to Tasmania's west on the back of a specially configured truck. Additional prime movers were needed to push and pull the load along parts of the journey, with the transport occupying two lanes of the Midlands Highway. 

Hydro Tasmania Executive General Manager Jesse Clark said the delivery represented one of the most significant milestones of the Gordon upgrade. 

"This is one of the most significant milestones in the Gordon Power Station upgrade and an extraordinary logistical achievement," Jesse said. 

"Moving equipment of this size through Tasmania is not something that happens every day. The route, bridges, roads and transport equipment all required careful assessment and preparation to ensure the valve could be moved safely to one of the state's most remote power stations." 

The hardest part 

But even after travelling around the world, the most challenging part was still ahead. 

Once in Strathgordon, the valve was transferred onto a specialised remote-controlled trailer for the final journey through Gordon Power Station's one-kilometre-long access tunnel. 

To make room for the oversized load, modifications were carried out inside the tunnel, including removing lights and trimming sections of rock. In some areas, there were only centimetres of clearance on either side of the valve. 

"Even after travelling around the world, the most delicate part of the journey was the final kilometre," Jesse said. 

"There were sections of the tunnel where there were just centimetres of clearance either side. It really gives you a sense of the scale of this equipment and the precision required to install it." 

A valve built differently 

The new main inlet valve is not only more advanced than the original equipment installed when Gordon Power Station was commissioned in the early 1970s, it was also designed with installation in mind. 

Unlike the original valves, which were delivered to Gordon in separate pieces and assembled inside the power station, the new valve has been designed to be transported and brought into the station as a single assembled unit.  

While that streamlined installation process offers significant advantages, it also created some extraordinary transport challenges given the valve's enormous size and weight. 

The valve was designed in partnership with German company Voith Hydro, with engineers drawing on original 1971 designs to develop its modern replacement. 

Why it matters 

Main inlet valves are critical safety components that control the flow of water from Lake Gordon to the power station's turbines. 

Each turbine has its own valve, which acts like a giant kitchen tap and serves as the primary safety barrier between the power station and the immense force of water driving electricity generation. 

This is the first of Gordon's three original main inlet valves to be replaced since the station began operating more than 50 years ago. The remaining two valves are expected to arrive over the next 24 months, with installation of the first valve planned for next year. 

For the team behind the project, seeing the valve safely reach its destination was a proud moment. 

"Seeing the valve arrive safely at Gordon after so many years of planning was a proud moment for everyone involved," Jesse said. 

"Gordon Power Station generates around 13 per cent of Tasmania's electricity needs every year and this is an important step in ensuring it continues to generate reliable renewable energy for decades to come." 

After travelling thousands of kilometres across the globe, the first Gordon main inlet valve is finally home.