Hydro Tasmania welcomes the draft Integrated System Plan (ISP) released today, confirming that the least-cost path to deliver secure and reliable electricity supply is renewables firmed with storage and backed up by gas. 

Hydro Tasmania CEO Rachel Watson said the ISP from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) confirmed that long duration storage is essential, with hydro and pumped hydro central to Australia’s grid reliability. 

Ms Watson said the ISP had also identified that extended renewable lulls (when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining) are a reality and harder to predict in duration and intensity. 

“We are planning for this climate variability and modelling for various scenarios. Tasmania’s deep hydro storages are uniquely suited to help firm Australia’s grid through these lulls over days, weeks and seasons,” Ms Watson said. 

Ms Watson said it was pleasing to see Marinus Link and North West Transmission Development identified as playing an essential role in unlocking Tasmania’s potential in firming for the National Electricity Market (NEM). 

“Project Marinus will allow Hydro Tasmania to strategically manage water levels in our dams.  

“We can import surplus low-cost solar and wind from the mainland and export when it benefits Tasmania.” 

Hydro Tasmania is continuing to invest in strengthening its existing deep storage and flexible hydropower assets, while also looking to the future with proposals for the redevelopment of Tarraleah and pumped hydro at Lake Cethana. 

Ms Watson said this investment in Tasmania’s hydropower portfolio would help meet growing  

Tasmanian demand and provide critical flexible capacity to support the transition of the NEM, while increasing revenue returns to bolster the Tasmanian budget. 

“The future revenue potential for Hydro Tasmania is very strong.” 

“These projects will bring benefits to Tasmania through jobs, local investment, growing industries and greater revenue potential returned as dividends to support the Tasmanian community,” said Ms Watson. 

Ends.

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