Five Basslink cables: study

Report on state’s NEM role hailed

TASMANIA could have up to five Bass Strait interconnectors under scenarios modelled in a new report.

Battery of the Nation - Analysis of the future National Electricity Market looked at two interconnectors from Port Latta, two from Sheffield and the existing Basslink cable from Bell Bay.

Under the scenarios Tasmania would have 2000MW to 6500MW of wind generation and 1500MW to 3500MW of pumped hydro for potential export.

TasNetworks is engaged in a $20 million study of the feasibility of a second interconnector, which is likely to cost $1 billion.

The $2.5 million Battery of the Nation study by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency was an examination of Tasmania’s potential role in the National Electricity Market providing renewable energy to the rest of Australia.

It comes after the Hydro identified 14 potential pumped hydro sites on Wednesday.

The report found that Tasmania’s pumped hydro could be developed at a competitive price in comparison with the Snowy Hydro 2.0.

“With further interconnection and a sound development plan, Tasmania could produce significantly more renewable energy for the nation and fully realise the value of its current hydropower system,” the report said.

It said Tasmania’s hydropower assets were currently primarily focused on long term energy security for the state and most plant was optimised to provide baseload power to Tasmania.

“However, with the right investment Tasmania can repurpose existing elements of the hydropower system to store energy when sun and wind energy are abundant, and draw on this storage to deliver power to the nation when weather conditions limit wind and solar generation,” the report said.

Tasmania pumped hydro could be developed at $1.05 million to $1.5 million per MW compared with Snowy Hydro at $1.8 million to $2.3 million per MW.

Tasmanian Energy Minister Guy Barnett said the report had confirmed hydro power could translate to a 20 per cent reduction in energy costs and an additional reduction of up to nine million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

Hydro Tasmania chief executive Steve Davy the analysis confirmed Tasmania was one of the most suitable, affordable and competitive options in Australia.