Hydro CEO Quits

Media release – Peter Gutwein, Premier & Guy Barnett, Minister for Energy, 6 September 2021

Statement on Hydro CEO

The Tasmanian Government acknowledges the significant contribution of Hydro Tasmania’s Chief Executive Officer, Evangelista (Ange) Albertini, who has today announced his resignation for personal reasons.

Mr Albertini has also held the executive roles at Hydro of Chief Asset Manager and Investment Officer, and Chief Operations Officer, where he has been instrumental in helping to position Hydro for its future in a rapidly transforming national energy environment.

Hydro Tasmania has a critical role to play in enabling the Tasmanian opportunity to harness a world-leading renewable future, which will underpin significant investment and jobs in our State.

This includes through the Battery of the Nation projects and the Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan.

On behalf of the Tasmanian Government we thank Ange for his contribution and efforts, and look forward to working with Ian Brooksbank, Executive General Manager Finance and Strategy who will act as CEO on an interim basis.

Dean Winter MP, Shadow Minister for Energy, 7 September 2021

Hydrogen plan in tatters as Hydro CEO sensationally quits

Yesterday Premier Peter Gutwein sensationally admitted he is actively intervening in Hydro Tasmania’s dealings with Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries’ (FFI) request for 250 megawatts of power at Bell Bay.

CEO of Hydro Tasmania, Evangelista Albertini, has now resigned, only one year into his appointment.

Shadow Minister for Energy Dean Winter said in June this year, FFI signed an Option Agreement with TasPorts to exclusively negotiate all land and operating access requirements for its proposed 250 megawatt (MW) green hydrogen plant in Bell Bay. However, Mr Forrest was then advised Hydro Tasmania does not have 250 megawatts of power to provide.

Premier Gutwein told Estimates yesterday he believes Hydro Tasmania does have the available power available, putting him at odds with Hydro Tasmania.

“The Premier’s intervention in Hydro Tasmania’s dealings with FFI is highly inappropriate,” Mr Winter said.

“Discussions regarding price and availability of power have always been undertaken without intervention by Shareholder Ministers, yet the Premier has reached into Tasmania’s most important business.

“Hydro Tasmania says there is no power available at any price, yet Peter Gutwein has told Estimates he thinks there is, marking an intervention in the matter that will damage investor confidence and the project.

“The last time Peter Gutwein got involved in energy policy he nearly blacked out the state with his disastrous mismanagement of the Tamar Valley Power Station which precipitated the 2016 Tasmanian energy crisis.”