We’re pumped to announce our three most promising sites

Hydro Tasmania has revealed the three sites selected for further investigation into their pumped hydro potential.

The three sites - at Lake Cethana and Lake Rowallan in the North West, and near Tribute Power Station on the West Coast – were selected from the original list of 14 potential pumped hydro options around the State.

They emerged as the most promising from the studies carried out over the last 20 months as part of a $2.0 million study jointly funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and Hydro Tasmania. The study is part of the Battery of the Nation initiative.

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Unlocking Tasmania's energy capacity through interconnection

More interconnection will unlock the renewable energy potential of Tasmania.

TasNetworks has now released its Initial Feasibility Report considering a second Bass Strait electricity interconnector, Marinus Link, finding it is technically feasible and economically viable. The report found “it would be a strategic interconnection investment providing NEM-wide economic benefits”.

The release of the report coincides with the Federal Government’s announcement of $56 million to accelerate the delivery of Marinus Link.

You can read more about the initial feasibility assessment for Project Marinus and also review the Tasmanian Government’s Current Situation Assessment paper in relation to both Marinus Link and Battery of the Nation.

Becoming the renewable energy Battery of the Nation

The Battery of the Nation initiative is about investigating and developing a pathway of future development opportunities - wind, hydropower system expansion including pumped hydro and more transmission and interconnection.

Realising this vision would position Tasmania to make a much greater contribution to the National Electricity Market (NEM).

As part of this vision, and with the support of Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) funding, Hydro Tasmania is advancing studies into three areas:

The findings demonstrate that Tasmania can make a significant contribution to the transformation of the NEM in coming years. It further strengthens the case for more interconnection across Bass Strait, which would also unlock Tasmania’s untapped wind energy potential.

Benefits for Tasmania and the nation

Battery of the Nation is about locking in our island’s energy security and giving Tasmanians the lowest possible power prices. It offers a future that’s clean, reliable and affordable.

Battery of the Nation is not a Hydro Tasmania initiative; it’s a Tasmanian initiative. It’s designed to serve and support our communities, and will involve opportunities and contributions from right across the renewable energy sector.

Modelling shows Battery of the Nation would create billions of dollars of investment and thousands of jobs in regional Tasmania over 10 to 15 years.

Doubling Tasmania’s clean energy would also create a surplus, beyond our own needs, to support mainland Australia. That’s crucial to replace the coal power that’s being phased out.

More interconnection makes all of this viable - allowing Tasmania to get its product to market. Even with the cost of developing further interconnection, our analysis confirms Battery of the Nation is a front-runner that’s extremely competitive and cost-effective.