55:
271:, a Tasmanian government-owned enterprise that owns and operates most of Tasmania's electricity generation, has proposed the large-scale export of dispatchable power from renewable sources to mainland Australia in a concept called "Battery of the Nation". Hydroelectricity, compared to solar and wind power, can be available at any time of day or night and independent of short-term weather conditions. Surplus energy (from when other renewable energy is abundant and demand is low) can also be stored using
290:
that overall benefits will exceed the costs. Some expert commentators have expressed doubts as to the economic viability of the concept and associated projects, given the decreasing prices for battery storage which could be built in mainland
Australia without the need for an undersea connection, and environmentalists have opposed the project.
101:. The dam polarised the Tasmanian community, which saw large-scale protests, and national interest. The dam was ultimately stopped by federal government intervention and a High Court case. The Franklin Dam controversy had the effect of ending the construction of large-scale dams for hydroelectricity across Australia.
289:
TasNetworks, the monopoly transmission provider in
Tasmania owned by the state government, has conducted a feasibility study for Marinus Link, the interstate connector enabling the project, and has concluded that the project is feasible, will provide a commercial rate of return for its operators, and
350:
during winter. Launceston's location in a confined valley exacerbates the problem. A buyback scheme subsidising the removal of some of the most polluting wood heaters was instituted in 2001, and reduced the proportion of households using wood heating in
Launceston from 66% to 30%. This reduction
358:
from organic wastes using anaerobic digesters. As of June 2022, the government is seeking feedback on a "Bioenergy Vision for
Tasmania", which seeks to expand the use of biomass energy. The Tasmanian Greens oppose the use of native forests for biomass energy and see the government's proposals as
97:, which was located in a national park. Environmentalists protested the dam construction, something that was repeated on a much larger scale when the Tasmanian government proposed a further dam on the Gordon River, known as the Gordon-below-Franklin Project, or more popularly as the
264:
Since joining the NEM and the commissioning of
Basslink, Tasmania has both imported and exported electricity. Tasmania's net import/export balance has varied over that time depending on changes to climate regulations and dam water levels; in 2020, it was a small net importer.
313:
The gas distribution grid is run by the privately-owned Tas Gas
Networks. There are two gas retailers operating in Tasmania, the retail arm of Tas Gas, Tas Gas Retail, and the Tasmanian government-owned Aurora Energy. A third retailer, Weston Energy, collapsed in May 2022.
275:, or simply by running generators when demand is high and reserving water in dams when it is not. The Battery Of The Nation concept seeks to determine how Tasmania's hydropower and wind capacity can be configured to provide dispatchable power to mainland Australia.
81:
which opened in 1895. It was constructed by the city government. Other small hydro-electric generators were built, or were under construction, when the state government formed the Hydro-Electric
Department in 1914. They purchased the incomplete
178:
Solar power is a relatively small contributor to
Tasmania's electricity production, contributing only 2.06% of total generation in 2021. This has increased from 1.05% in 2015. Virtually all of it is from scall-scale rooftop solar systems.
690:
306:, and Devonport; however, large parts of those cities are not serviced by gas pipelines. Tasmanian households are not heavy users of natural gas, with an average of only $ 45 per household spent on gas. Average expenditure on
111:, the government-owned enterprise that now operates Tasmania's hydroelectric generators, is planning to spend roughly $ 120 million, including a $ 65 million federal government grant, on planning for an upgrade to the
190:, the lack of additional state government subsidies comparable to Victoria's Solar Homes program and higher installation costs due to freight and a more rigorous quality inspection scheme than other states.
1245:
298:
Tasmania is connected to the
Australian east coast gas grid through the undersea Tasmanian Gas Pipeline, which was completed in 2002. As of 2022, the gas distribution network covers parts of
842:
726:
679:
26:
Tasmania, as an advanced economy with a globally high standard of living, uses a great deal of energy. Distinctive features of energy use in
Tasmania include the high fraction of
948:
166:
unit and four open cycle gas turbines, with a total capacity of 178MW for peaking operation. The combined-cycle unit was decommissioned in 2015 but was recommissioned during the
981:
225:
inherited the customer base of the government monopoly. The first retailer other than Aurora Energy to actually offer retail electricity in Tasmania was 1st Energy in 2019.
123:
There are five (by some definitions 4) wind farms, with a total nameplate capacity of 564MW, connected to the main Tasmanian electricity grid (there is another small farm on
367:
Tasmania has no indigenous petroleum industry. All petroleum products are imported in refined form from interstate or overseas. There are petroleum import terminals in
1096:
814:
42:. Energy production through hydroelectricity has been politically contentious, and conflicts over Tasmanian hydroelectric projects were integral to the formation of
1119:"Evaluation of interventions to reduce air pollution from biomass smoke on mortality in Launceston, Australia: retrospective analysis of daily mortality, 1994-2007"
755:
646:
399:
429:
1231:
104:
As of 2022, Tasmania's hydroelectric generation capacity is approximately 2286 MW. 80% of Tasmania's total electricity was hydroelectricity in 2021.
1174:
142:
There are several proposals for additional onshore and offshore wind farm projects for Tasmania, in many cases contingent on the construction of the
835:
451:
1002:
354:
Other than domestic wood heating, there are a few small-scale biomass energy projects in Tasmania, using waste sawmill timber or generating
625:
711:
940:
483:
228:
As of June 2022, the state government lists five retailers operating in most of Tasmania, and one additional retailer operating only on
969:
278:
The federal government has provided several substantial grants totalling more than A$ 120 million for planning for pumped storage, the
63:
867:
73:
Historically, virtually all of Tasmania's electricity was hydroelectric generation. The first hydroelectric project in Tasmania was
596:
330:
labour. Coal was mined on a relatively small scale for industrial and stationary energy use throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
784:
530:
1086:
566:
1277:
806:
202:, a state-owned enterprise formed in 2014. The Tasmanian electrical grid has remained state-owned throughout its history.
747:
187:
1304:
505:
167:
1061:
421:
342:
in Australia. According to survey data, 38% of Tasmanians use wood heating. Tasmanian cities and towns, particularly
206:
136:
658:
253:
163:
159:
146:
interconnector. Proposed wind farms have faced opposition from environmentalists and Tasmanian Aboriginal groups.
20:
1207:
1039:
222:
83:
74:
256:. According to a 2014 regulatory submission, it consumes "more than 25% of the state's electricity demand".
722:
407:
307:
283:
112:
1185:
977:
654:
562:
229:
155:
124:
54:
19:
This article is about generation of energy in Tasmania. For Australia's energy policy and management, see
1269:
916:
158:, built in 1974, was converted to gas operation in 2003, before decommissioning in 2009. The adjacent
368:
343:
303:
90:
78:
221:
Electricity retailing was disaggregated from the Hydroelectric Commission in 1998. The state-owned
1091:
339:
39:
1010:
372:
617:
182:
Rooftop solar power is less economically attractive in Tasmania than other states, due to lower
1156:
1138:
475:
1273:
1146:
1130:
400:"Australian Energy Statistics, Table O Electricity generation by fuel type 2020-21 and 2021"
376:
323:
183:
27:
233:
132:
128:
588:
131:, and the high and consistent prevailing winds mean that Tasmania's wind farms have good
1151:
1118:
1117:
Johnston, Fay H; Hanigan, Ivan C; Henderson, Sarah B; Morgan, Geoffrey G (2013-01-08).
776:
272:
268:
108:
93:, for which water was supplied by construction of several dams, flooding the original
1298:
892:
347:
237:
279:
143:
98:
589:"Solar Power In Tasmania: How To Triumph Despite Higher Prices & Lower Output"
554:
452:"Australia's best performing wind and solar farms in 2021, and the leading states"
322:
The first coal mine in Tasmania opened in 1834, near the Saltwater River on the
236:. Notably, the largest retailers operating on the Australian mainland, such as
199:
94:
43:
35:
351:
has resulted in reduced pollution levels and may have reduced health impacts.
241:
1142:
1160:
777:"Battery of the Nation – A Concept Study of Tasmanian Pumped Hydro Options"
868:"Big Batteries will render Marinus Link "obsolete", new analysis suggests"
210:
198:
The Tasmanian domestic transmission and distribution grid is operated by
327:
1134:
355:
299:
252:
By far the largest single consumer of electricity in Tasmania is the
58:
Electricity generation by fuel type in Tasmania, Australia, 2015-2021
1031:
680:"Submission by Bell Bay AluminiumTo The Australian Energy Regulator"
531:"Huge Tasmania wind farm faces Aboriginal cultural heritage claim"
53:
1080:
1078:
31:
115:, as part of the "Battery of the Nation" concept (see below).
1087:"Launceston winter air quality showing signs of improvement"
38:, particularly for domestic use, and a wide use of domestic
1239:
89:
The largest hydroelectric power station in Tasmania is the
506:"Two massive offshore wind farms proposed for Bass Strait"
807:"Additional $ 75m for TAS Battery of the Nation projects"
34:-fired electrical generation, relatively light usage of
480:
Jim's Plain and Robbins Island Renewable Energy Parks
404:
Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
1206:Tasmanian Greens, Cassy O'Connor MP (2020-11-10).
1182:Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania
394:
392:
186:, lower up-front cost reductions than through the
836:"Project Marinus Business Case Assessment Report"
310:is higher at about $ 72 per household annually.
1062:"Residential Firewood Consumption in Australia"
1060:Romanach, Lygia; Frederiks, Elisha (May 2020).
244:, do not offer retail electricity in Tasmania.
1208:"Energy Generation from Native Forest Biomass"
974:Consumer, Building, and Occupational Services
8:
282:interconnector, and funding for upgrades to
127:to supply local needs). Tasmania is in the
618:"Expert Guide: 1st Energy Review and Rates"
781:Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
1150:
1003:"Global gas crunch claims Weston Energy"
359:encouraging logging for biomass energy.
139:had a capacity factor of 41.6% in 2021.
388:
286:to increase its dispatchable capacity.
16:Economic sector in Tasmania, Australia
1175:"Draft Bioenergy Vision for Tasmania"
338:Tasmanians are the heaviest users of
7:
86:, which became operational in 1916.
945:Australian Energy Market Commission
188:Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme
46:in Australia and across the world.
64:List of power stations in Tasmania
14:
866:Mazengarb, Michael (2021-11-24).
712:"State of the Energy Market 2021"
647:"Tasmanian electricity retailers"
450:Mazengarb, Michael (2022-01-24).
805:Nestor, Stephanie (2022-04-05).
1280:from the original on 2022-07-04
1251:from the original on 2022-07-03
1099:from the original on 2022-07-03
1042:from the original on 2022-06-27
984:from the original on 2022-07-03
951:from the original on 2022-07-03
848:from the original on 2022-07-01
817:from the original on 2022-07-01
787:from the original on 2022-07-01
758:from the original on 2022-07-01
729:from the original on 2021-12-13
693:from the original on 2022-07-03
628:from the original on 2022-07-02
599:from the original on 2022-07-02
569:from the original on 2022-07-02
504:Parkinson, Giles (2021-06-11).
486:from the original on 2022-07-01
432:from the original on 2022-07-01
1007:Energy Source and Distribution
970:"Gas distribution in Tasmania"
587:Brakels, Ronald (2021-03-08).
529:Vorrath, Sophie (2021-12-14).
346:consequently have significant
260:Battery Of The Nation proposal
205:Tasmania was connected to the
1:
1009:. 2022-05-22. Archived from
941:"TAS: Tasmanian Gas Network"
748:"Battery of the Nation FAQs"
168:2016 Tasmanian energy crisis
1085:Holmes, Adam (2020-02-09).
719:Australian Energy Regulator
687:Australian Energy Regulator
207:National Electricity Market
137:Granville Harbour Wind Farm
1321:
422:"Hydro system improvement"
254:Bell Bay aluminium smelter
164:combined-cycle gas turbine
160:Tamar Valley Power Station
61:
21:Energy policy in Australia
18:
921:www.rewiringaustralia.org
555:"Solar panel (PV) rebate"
209:in 2005 via the undersea
1036:Coal Mines Historic Site
84:Waddamana Power Stations
75:Duck Reach Power Station
1232:"Terminal Gate Pricing"
723:Government of Australia
408:Government of Australia
284:Tarraleah Power Station
113:Tarraleah Power Station
1186:Government of Tasmania
978:Government of Tasmania
655:Government of Tasmania
563:Government of Victoria
156:Bell Bay Power Station
59:
30:usage, the absence of
57:
1212:Tasmanian Greens MPs
917:"Rewiring Australia"
651:State Revenue Office
135:; for instance, the
91:Gordon Power Station
1305:Economy of Tasmania
1092:Launceston Examiner
891:Networks, Tas Gas.
340:wood-burning stoves
40:wood-burning stoves
893:"Pipeline Locator"
60:
1135:10.1136/bmj.e8446
248:Notable Consumers
107:As of June 2022,
1312:
1289:
1288:
1286:
1285:
1274:United Petroleum
1266:
1260:
1259:
1257:
1256:
1250:
1236:
1228:
1222:
1221:
1219:
1218:
1203:
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1179:
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1165:
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1019:
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989:
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959:
957:
956:
937:
931:
930:
928:
927:
913:
907:
906:
904:
903:
897:Tas Gas Networks
888:
882:
881:
879:
878:
863:
857:
856:
854:
853:
847:
840:
832:
826:
825:
823:
822:
813:. Monkey Media.
802:
796:
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793:
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738:
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735:
734:
716:
708:
702:
701:
699:
698:
684:
676:
670:
669:
667:
666:
657:. Archived from
643:
637:
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634:
633:
614:
608:
607:
605:
604:
584:
578:
577:
575:
574:
551:
545:
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542:
541:
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517:
516:
501:
495:
494:
492:
491:
476:"Robbins Island"
472:
466:
465:
463:
462:
447:
441:
440:
438:
437:
418:
412:
411:
396:
324:Tasman Peninsula
213:interconnector.
184:solar insolation
133:capacity factors
28:hydroelectricity
1320:
1319:
1315:
1314:
1313:
1311:
1310:
1309:
1295:
1294:
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1234:
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1205:
1204:
1200:
1191:
1189:
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1116:
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1111:
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1084:
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1016:
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985:
968:
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939:
938:
934:
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923:
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914:
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865:
864:
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851:
849:
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838:
834:
833:
829:
820:
818:
811:Energy Magazine
804:
803:
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746:
745:
741:
732:
730:
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682:
678:
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664:
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631:
629:
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611:
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586:
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581:
572:
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553:
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433:
420:
419:
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398:
397:
390:
385:
365:
336:
320:
296:
262:
250:
234:Flinders Island
219:
196:
176:
152:
129:Roaring Forties
121:
71:
66:
52:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1318:
1316:
1308:
1307:
1297:
1296:
1291:
1290:
1261:
1223:
1198:
1166:
1109:
1074:
1052:
1023:
994:
961:
932:
908:
883:
858:
827:
797:
768:
752:Hydro Tasmania
739:
703:
671:
638:
609:
579:
565:. 2018-09-17.
559:Solar Victoria
546:
521:
496:
467:
442:
428:. 2022-04-04.
426:Hydro Tasmania
413:
387:
386:
384:
381:
364:
361:
335:
332:
319:
316:
295:
292:
273:pumped storage
269:Hydro Tasmania
261:
258:
249:
246:
218:
215:
195:
192:
175:
172:
162:has one 210MW
151:
148:
120:
117:
109:Hydro Tasmania
70:
67:
51:
48:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1317:
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1120:
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1081:
1079:
1075:
1070:
1063:
1056:
1053:
1041:
1037:
1033:
1027:
1024:
1013:on 2022-07-03
1012:
1008:
1004:
998:
995:
983:
979:
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965:
962:
950:
946:
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918:
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869:
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837:
831:
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778:
772:
769:
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753:
749:
743:
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728:
724:
720:
713:
707:
704:
692:
688:
681:
675:
672:
661:on 2022-07-02
660:
656:
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648:
642:
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623:
619:
613:
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468:
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453:
446:
443:
431:
427:
423:
417:
414:
410:. 2022-04-14.
409:
405:
401:
395:
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389:
382:
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360:
357:
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348:air pollution
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259:
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245:
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238:Alinta Energy
235:
231:
226:
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223:Aurora Energy
216:
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68:
65:
56:
49:
47:
45:
44:Green parties
41:
37:
33:
29:
22:
1282:. Retrieved
1270:"Operations"
1264:
1253:. Retrieved
1238:
1226:
1215:. Retrieved
1211:
1201:
1190:. Retrieved
1188:. 2021-12-15
1181:
1169:
1126:
1122:
1112:
1101:. Retrieved
1090:
1068:
1055:
1044:. Retrieved
1035:
1026:
1015:. Retrieved
1011:the original
1006:
997:
986:. Retrieved
973:
964:
953:. Retrieved
944:
935:
924:. Retrieved
920:
911:
900:. Retrieved
896:
886:
875:. Retrieved
872:RenewEconomy
871:
861:
850:. Retrieved
830:
819:. Retrieved
810:
800:
789:. Retrieved
780:
771:
760:. Retrieved
751:
742:
731:. Retrieved
718:
706:
695:. Retrieved
686:
674:
663:. Retrieved
659:the original
650:
641:
630:. Retrieved
622:Canstar Blue
621:
612:
601:. Retrieved
592:
582:
571:. Retrieved
558:
549:
538:. Retrieved
535:RenewEconomy
534:
524:
513:. Retrieved
510:RenewEconomy
509:
499:
488:. Retrieved
479:
470:
459:. Retrieved
456:RenewEconomy
455:
445:
434:. Retrieved
425:
416:
403:
366:
353:
337:
321:
312:
297:
288:
280:Marinus Link
277:
267:
263:
251:
227:
220:
204:
197:
194:Transmission
181:
177:
153:
144:Marinus Link
141:
122:
106:
103:
99:Franklin Dam
88:
72:
25:
593:Solarquotes
230:King Island
200:TasNetworks
125:King Island
95:Lake Pedder
50:Electricity
36:natural gas
1284:2022-07-03
1255:2022-07-03
1217:2022-06-30
1192:2022-06-30
1103:2022-07-03
1046:2022-06-26
1017:2022-07-03
988:2022-07-03
955:2022-07-03
926:2022-06-24
902:2022-06-30
877:2022-07-01
852:2022-07-01
821:2022-07-01
791:2022-07-01
762:2022-07-01
733:2022-07-03
697:2022-07-03
665:2022-07-02
632:2022-07-02
603:2022-07-02
573:2022-07-02
540:2022-07-01
515:2022-07-01
490:2022-07-01
461:2022-07-01
436:2022-07-01
383:References
344:Launceston
304:Launceston
242:AGL Energy
79:Launceston
62:See also:
1242:Australia
1143:0959-8138
1129:: e8446.
1032:"History"
217:Retailers
1299:Category
1278:Archived
1246:Archived
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