Accelerating the development of renewable energy in Tasmania

10 December 2024



Hydro Tasmania and local renewables company TasRex have finalised key terms for an offtake agreement that will accelerate the development of a major renewable energy project for Tasmania! 

 

At 288 megawatts, the solar farm will be capable of powering around 70,000 homes. When operating at full capacity, it will be Tasmania’s fourth largest generator after Gordon and Poatina hydropower stations, and the Tamar Valley Power Station. 

 

Under the agreement, Hydro Tasmania will buy energy generated at the new $500 million solar farm, to be built by TasRex at Connorville Estates, near Cressy in the Northern Midlands. 

 

Hydro Tasmania Acting CEO Erin van Maanen said the agreement demonstrated Hydro Tasmania’s support for new renewable development in Tasmania.   

“The deal gives TasRex the confidence to proceed with this major development and deliver an important new source of renewable energy to help power Tasmanian homes and businesses.” 

 

TasRex CEO Bess Clark said they expected the solar farm to be fully operational in 2027. 

 

“We are looking at staged development of the project, to bring new clean energy to market as soon as possible,” Ms Clark said. 

 

“TasRex is a Tasmanian company and our team, including landowner Roderic O’Connor, has been working hard to realise this ambitious project. We are actively engaging with surrounding landowners and the local community.” 

 

Erin said variable renewable energy like wind and solar complement the island’s incredible hydropower resources. 

 

“Wind and solar are the fastest, lowest cost way to deliver new energy supply. Hydropower can fill in the gaps when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow. This is the best way to deliver a reliable energy system that meets the growing demand for energy and minimises costs to Tasmanian consumers.” 

 

Tags

2024
Thank you for the comment! Your comment must be approved first
Load more comments
comment-avatar


Featured

The intake tower 200 metres above Gordon Power Station

Gordon gets a new lease on life >

If life begins at 40, as the saying goes, it began this year for one of our most iconic landmarks. But clocking up four decades of dedicated power generation for Tasmania had taken a toll so this year Gordon Power Station has undergone one of its biggest maintenance operations yet.



Core blimey! >

Geotechnical investigations is the technical term for poking around in the ground to find out more about the soil, sub-surface structure and the rock layers beneath. And it’s ground breaking stuff… literally!



What can Sandra Bullock teach us about microgrids? >

The Bass Strait islands are powered by world leading renewable microgrid technology. But just how do they work? Like any good explanation, let's start with a film analogy...