West Coast
For more than a century, our power stations have electrified Tasmania. We’re working to generate clean, reliable electricity today and for generations to come.
John Butters Power Station
John Butters Power Station is named for the first general manager and chief engineer of the government department that ultimately became known as Hydro Tasmania. The water from Lake Burbury drops around 200 m on its 7 km journey through tunnels to John Butters Power Station.
1992
145 MW
1
Francis hydropower
Upper Lake Margaret Power Station
Lake Margaret Power Station was built in 1914 by the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Company to provide energy for its mines. Hydro Tasmania purchased the station in 1985.
Water travels from Lake Margaret through a woodstave pipeline to the power station. As part of a major refurbishment to make the station more efficient, the 2.2 km pipeline was replaced in 2009.
Guided tours of Lake Margaret Power Station are available through Roam Wild Tasmania.
1914–30
8.3 MW
7
Pelton hydropower
Lower Lake Margaret mini-hydro
This station was opened in 1931 to provide additional power for the mines. Hydro Tasmania purchased the station in 1985 and decommissioned it in 1994. A significant redevelopment was completed in 2010 – including a new penstock, turbine and woodstave pipeline – and the station was reopened.
1931
3.2 MW
1
Turgo hydropower
Tribute Power Station
Tribute is the only power station in the Anthony development. It is underground and uses water from a number of rivers that have been diverted for use in the power station. Water flows to Lake Plimsoll and on to Lake Murchison to be used in the Pieman power stations.
1994
92 MW
1
Francis hydropower
Mackintosh Power Station
The station is located at the foot of the Mackintosh Dam on Lake Mackintosh. The water then runs to Lake Rosebery and Bastyan Power Station.
1982
89 MW
1
Francis hydropower
Bastyan Power Station
The station is located at the foot of the Bastyan Dam on Lake Rosebery. The water then runs to Lake Pieman and the Reece Power Station.
1983
81 MW
1
Francis hydropower
Reece Power Station
The last power station before the water runs out to the Southern Ocean is Reece Power Station, located at the foot of the Reece Dam on Lake Pieman. The dam and power station are named for the Honourable Eric Reece who was the premier of Tasmania in 1958–69 and 1972–75 and was a great supporter of Tasmania’s hydropower developments.