Gordon Power Station

To support this critical project, we have booked all accommodation at Pedder Wilderness Lodge for our outage staff, who will be working on-site until the project is completed.

We understand this may be disappointing for those planning to stay at the lodge, and we truly appreciate your understanding as we carry out these important upgrades. This work is vital to maintaining the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure, which benefits both the community and the environment.

While accommodation is temporarily unavailable, Twelvetrees Bar & Restaurant remains open daily, offering lunch from 12 pm to 3 pm. Coffee and fuel are also available from 10 am to 4 pm to visitors.

Gordon Power Station is located in the southwest of Tasmania, near Strathgordon, within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It sits on Lake Gordon, which, along with Lake Pedder, forms the largest water storage in Australia. The station is about 172 km west of Hobart and is accessed via the Gordon River Road.

The area is known for its stunning natural beauty, with the nearby Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park attracting nature enthusiasts and adventurers. Despite its remote location, Gordon Power Station is a critical part of Tasmania's hydroelectric system, supplying a significant portion of the state's renewable energy.

Gordon Power Station was commissioned in 1977 with two machines and the third machine was commissioned in 1988. The Station is located 183 metres underground and is supplied with water from Lake Gordon through a 137m high vertical shaft. Water from the station is returned to the Gordon River through a 1.6 km-long tailrace tunnel. Each machine has a registered capacity of 144 MW, with all three machines collectively producing an average of 1200 GWh/yr

Gordon Power Station is a major contributor to Hydro Tasmania’s hydro generation capability generating ~13.4% of average annual revenue. The units are also important system energy security and Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS) contributors.

This comprehensive overhaul will involve the replacement of critical infrastructure, including turbine runners, distributors, generator thrust blocks, and main inlet valves, and a transformer. These upgrades are essential to ensuring the long-term reliability, efficiency, and performance of the power station, supporting Tasmania’s renewable energy future and maintaining grid stability for years to come.

The refurbishment of Gordon Power Station is a vital project aimed at extending the asset's operational life and safeguarding the state’s energy infrastructure. By replacing key components such as turbines, generators, and control systems, the upgrade will ensure the station continues to operate reliably for decades to come. This long-term investment not only supports Tasmania’s renewable energy targets but also strengthens the stability and resilience of the broader power grid.

In addition to extending the station's lifespan, modernisation of the runner design will ensure minimum environmental flows in the Gordon River can be efficiently utilised for power generation. It will also see introduction of new Synchronous Condenser function (FCAS) on 2 of the units. This optimisation enhances sustainability while maximising energy output. Furthermore, the project prioritises safety by addressing ageing infrastructure, and ensuring the continued safe operation of the station, and other critical systems. These upgrades protect both workers and nearby communities, reducing the risk of equipment failures and environmental impacts