The power of our past, fuelling our future.
Tasmania has a big advantage, with the water from our rivers and lakes generating electricity for over 100 years. But as the world changes, more clean energy is needed to power our homes, businesses and industries.
We’re working on big projects to make this happen.
These proposed projects would deliver more clean energy for Tasmania, jobs and a big boost for our economy. Plus, they will work in harmony with wind and solar to maintain Tassie’s position as a leader in renewable energy.
The Tarraleah power scheme was built during World War II, with workers enduring the tough Tasmanian conditions. Today, the scheme generates about 7.3% of Tasmania’s energy needs.
But Tarraleah is now over 85 years old and reaching the end of its operational life. We're proposing to redevelop the power scheme to deliver more for Tasmanians, including greater:
✅ Capacity. More than double peak capacity from 90MW to 190MW.
✅ Efficiency. More electricity from the same amount of water.
✅ Flexibility. Turn it on and off at the flick of switch to meet fluctuating demand.
✅ Economic impact: 250 jobs during construction, local investment, growing industries.
We are strengthening Tarraleah for another lifetime!
Hydro Tasmania is proposing to use existing infrastructure at Lake Cethana to build Tasmania’s first pumped hydro project!
When wind and solar farms generate more power than we can use, pumped hydro can store all that beautiful clean energy. And when the sun stops shining and the wind stops blowing, pumped hydro can kick in to fill the gaps.
We can even help mainland Australia transition to renewable energy by storing its excess energy and selling it back when they need it (for a profit, of course).
The Cethana pumped hydro project would deliver more for Tasmanians, including greater:
✅ Capacity. 750MW of clean energy (it would be the State’s biggest generator)
✅ Storage. Up to 20 hours of deep energy storage (most batteries store for up to 4 hours)
✅ Economic impact. 350 jobs during construction, local investment, growing industries.
✅ Revenue. Hydro Tasmania dividends help fund hospitals, schools and housing.
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Find out more about Tasmania's pumped hydro potential and our first deep storage project at Cethana.
Learn about plans to breathe new life into the iconic Tarraleah hydropower scheme.
Check out our studies into modelling and testing what Tasmania's future energy vision might look like.
Check out our frequently asked questions page about our future energy vision.
We anticipate that as work progresses, there will be opportunity for providing services to our projects.
We encourage you to check back for web site updates.
If you would like to contact us, please send us an email.