Media release – Nick Duigan, Minister for Energy and Renewables, 24 November 2023
Hydro continues to deliver clean energy dividends for Tasmania
The Rockliff Liberal Government is the strongest supporter of Hydro Tasmania which continues to deliver clean energy dividends for the State.
Hydro Tasmania has a proud history of more than a century producing renewable energy and continues to meet the State’s energy requirements while also preparing the economy for more electrification.
Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan, said Hydro Tasmania’s 2022-23 Annual Report showed a profit of $168 million before tax which will deliver a $105 million dividend to Tasmania, which was above the $74 million returned in 2022.
“It is extremely pleasing that Hydro has carefully managed our storages with levels well above the prudent storage levels at 40.4 per cent (June 30) with a dry year forecast – noting levels are currently at 46.6 per cent,” Minister Duigan said.
“The dividends generated by Hydro Tasmania benefit all Tasmanians by supporting essential services like health, education and housing, and it shows the wisdom of the government re-investing in Hydro infrastructure upgrades.
“Hydro Tasmania CEO Ian Brooksbank advises that Hydro is investing in its asset fleet of 30 power stations and 54 dams to maximise our hydropower capacity while supporting the growth and electrification of the Tasmanian economy.
“This investment includes $30 million to modernise the power stations at Rowallan, Poatina, Lemonthyme and Meadowbank.
“Another major investment is $123 million into the future of Tarraleah which is readying the scheme for future redevelopment with the potential to increase capacity from 90MW to 190MW and deliver 30 per cent more energy from the same amount of water.
“This means modernising and maintaining existing infrastructure and planning for future needs through the Battery of the Nation projects.
“It is also very pleasing that Hydro’s investment in its people and training has resulted in its lowest annual injury rate on record.”
Minister Duigan congratulated Hydro Tasmania on another strong year and said he looked forward to an even more exciting future as Tasmania looks to double our renewables electricity generation by 2040.
Media release – Hydro Tasmania, 24 November 2023
Rowallan Power Station gets $30 million facelift
Rowallan Power Station in north west Tasmania is getting a new lease on life, thanks to a $30 million refurbishment that will ensure it continues to operate safely and reliably for at least another 30 years.
Hydro Tasmania CEO Ian Brooksbank said the modernisation of the 55-year-old Rowallan Power Station will make it safer and more efficient to operate.
“This marks a significant step forward in the transformation of Rowallan, integrating cutting edge control and safety systems and upgrades to essential components” Mr Brooksbank said.
“New control systems will make operation of the power station more flexible, and online monitoring will reduce outages and streamline ongoing maintenance.”
“As Australia’s largest water manager, and largest generator of renewable energy, we have a responsibility to the Tasmanian people to use our precious water resources wisely.”
Hydro power assets have a very long lifespan, but they do require maintenance. Hydro Tasmania’s prudent risk-based management of its assets ensures that refurbishment or upgrade costs deliver value for money for Tasmanians.
“We have an incredible fleet of hydropower assets, but they are aging. It’s important that we invest in modernising and maintaining our power stations, so they continue to deliver safe, secure and reliable power for the next generation,” Mr Brooksbank said.
Rowallan is the latest in a long list of recent asset improvement works undertaken by Hydro Tasmania, including Poatina, Lemonthyme, and Meadowbank power stations.
The upgrade of Rowallan Power Station is scheduled for completion in Q2 2024.
Media release – Dean Winter MP, Shadow Minister for Energy, 24 November 2023
More than ten companies told by Hydro they can’t get access to power: Minister keeps figure secret
Hydro admitted today “more than ten companies” have been told they can’t get access to 50 megawatts of power, costing the state untold amounts of dollars in investment.
When I asked the Energy Minister Nick Duigan the exact number of companies be taken on notice he extraordinarily refused, capping off what has been a catastrophic week for him.
Given that the number is more than 10 it could be any number.
Is it 20? 50?
Trying to cover up the government’s failure on energy is disgraceful and speaks volumes for this government’s lack of transparency and lack of integrity.
We’ll never know the exact number because of this government’s obsession with secrecy and hiding anything resembling bad news.
No-one can have confidence in this novice Minister who has no idea what he’s doing and isn’t up to the job.
Tasmania’s energy crisis is one of this government’s worst legacies and nothing is going to improve under Nick Duigan.
Duigan’s energy confusion
Is Nick Duigan going to cap power prices or not?
At one point of today’s hearing, Minister Duigan said he was looking at options to cap wholesale prices. But then shortly after said he would not.
He then said he would look at all options to combat high power prices. But then he said he would not consider capping power prices.
Having a clear and coherant energy policy is absolutely essential for Tasmania’s economy. Business needs to know what the government’s policy is and that its not going to keep changing.
By changing the Government’s position four times in the space of a few minutes this morning, Mr Duigan is proving its risky doing business with this government.
For six years, the Liberal Government told wind farm proponents that they would build the full northwest transmission projects. Then, without consultation, told them they would not.
Nick Duigan doing his best Uncle Scrooge impression
It’s not okay Minister Duigan that Hydro made a $237 million profit and are paying their executives massive bonuses while Tasmanians are paying record power prices, particularly during a cost of living crisis.
It’s nearly Christmas time and Mr Duigan is doing his best possible impression of Uncle Scrooge.
Minister Duigan said he was “very pleased” they’ve been able to return $28 a year to Tasmanians off their power bills. Even that number has been cut by $2 from what was announced.
Minister thinking $28 rebate this year is “pleasing” when power prices have gone up by almost $500 for the average household is desperately out of touch.
A measly $28 is less than a week’s power bill for the average household.
Minister Duigan also said he was comfortable that Hydro executives were given bonuses of based on Hydro’s profits.
The more Hydro charges Tasmanians in their power bills the more they get paid.
Important 700 megawatt link not going ahead
The first thing Energy Minister Nick Duigan told the Hydro GBE hearing this morning in a prepared statement is that the 700 megawatt project to put a transmission line in to George Town won’t go ahead.
This is a contingent project for the proponents of hydrogen projects at Bell Bay.
These hydrogen projects being proposed by Woodside, Origin and FFI need that power load to be able to undertake these projects yet the Minister today announced that it won’t go ahead.
This government has made a complete mess of energy in the state and we are in an energy crisis as the TCCI has stated.
It follows the debacle with the North West Transmission Development highlighted earlier this week.
I have no confidence in Mr Duigan to address the state’s energy crisis and ensure that Tasmanians don’t pay record power prices and that’s been further highlighted with his extremely poor performance this week.
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader, 24 November 2023
Finally More Transparency for Hydro’s Overseas Operations
Finally, there will be more transparency about Hydro Tasmania’s overseas operations following a commitment made by the company under questioning from the Greens today.
Hydro has a long and chequered history overseas, and engaged in work on projects with serious human rights, environmental and worker safety issues in Uganda and Malaysia. In the face of controversy surrounding these operations, Hydro has previously refused to admit the need for more transparency around their international work. This finally seems to have changed, following three years of scrutiny and pressure from the Greens.
Hydro is a publicly owned company, and Tasmanians deserve comprehensive information about their overseas operations. This transparency is crucial to make sure Hydro is no longer involved in the highly problematic types of projects that we’ve seen in the last 15 years.
During GBE Estimates’ scrutiny today, we again pressed Hydro Tasmania about their continued lack of transparency. We received a long-sought commitment from Hydro’s Chair to review the company’s approach, and provide full information about their international work in their reporting.
This commitment to accountability is a significant change in approach, and although overdue is very welcome. Just three years ago we had the head of Hydro refusing to release the list of countries they had been working in.
The Greens will continue to watch closely to make sure Hydro follows through on this new commitment to transparency about their international work. No Tasmanian wants a publicly-owned company profiting from projects connected to human rights issues, negative impact on local communities, or environmental harms.
