The expansion of Tasmania’s hydro-electric system known as ‘Battery of the Nation’ and a second Bass Strait interconnector have today been given a major boost through their inclusion in a national electricity system plan.
The Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) Integrated System Plan (ISP), released today, gives the green light to Tasmania becoming the Battery of the Nation, unlocking major expansion in pumped hydro systems and associated wind farms.
By harnessing Tasmania’s wind and hydro resources, the State will underpin our own supply, and sell excess power at a premium price to other mainland states through further Bass Strait interconnection.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is a proud supporter of Tasmania’s hydro-electric system, and the ISP identifies the need for an increase in interstate energy interchange, supported through a second Bass Strait undersea cable, enabling a big increase in clean energy exports to the mainland, where coal plants are withdrawing over coming years.
Our Tasmania First energy policy is inextricably linked to the expansion of Tasmania’s renewable generation capacity, where we have set a target of achieving the lowest regulated power prices in the country by 2022, and to make Tasmania 100 per cent self-sufficient in renewable energy by 2022.
Expanding Tasmania’s on-island generation by doubling our Hydro capability and increasing transmission capacity is estimated to create 3000 jobs, and provide hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for Tasmania.
Guy Barnett, Minister for Energy
