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Hydro Tasmania has set a target of becoming Australia’s first carbon-neutral generator by 2012 as part of its strategic response to climate change. The organisation is also targeting the development of an additional 1,000 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of capability from its existing system, with projects totalling more than $400 million in value identified over the next 12 years. Currently, the system generates around 9,000 GWh.
The 1,000 GWh project is a response to on-going pressures caused by drought and the need to maximise the system’s renewable energy capability. The commitment was announced by the Premier, Paul Lennon, at the opening of Hydro Tasmania Consulting’s new headquarters at Cambridge Park – the first building in the State to be awarded a five-star Green Star rating by the Green Building Council of Australia.
Hydro CEO, Vince Hawksworth, said: “Climate change is a reality and … a key strategic issue for Hydro Tasmania as it presents a significant risk to our business as a generator of hydro power with the on-going drought seeing our storages now standing at less than 19 per cent full. While Hydro Tasmania has recognised the potential impact of climate change for many years, as the evidence has mounted it has become important for the business to have a clear strategic response. Our plan places Hydro Tasmania at the forefront of world’s best practice in responding to climate change and puts us on a pathway to becoming Australia’s first carbon-neutral energy generator.”
Recent figures show that Hydro Tasmania emitted 642,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide last financial year, largely through gas generation at the Bell Bay Power Station. The task to reduce emissions to zero in only four years will be achieved by a combination of:
Decommissioning Bell Bay as soon as its critical role in supporting Tasmanian electricity supply is complete – hopefully as early as next year with the commissioning of the new, privately owned Tamar Valley Power Station.
Energy reduction and fuel substitution initiatives including fleet replacement, energy efficiency and Bass Strait Island renewable energy projects, many of which are already underway.
Off-setting emissions from staff flights, the Hydro Tasmania Consulting business and the vehicle fleet.
Mr Hawksworth said achieving the 2012 target would provide Hydro Tasmania with:
A competitive advantage in markets for “green” energy;
An influential voice in external policy debates; and
Capacity to promote the business and Tasmania as leaders in climate-change action.
The 1,000 Gwh project, involving potential investment of $400 million, includes: catchment diversions and diversion upgrades; raising existing storages; mini-hydro schemes; and new power station development or redevelopment of existing power stations.
Other initiatives being pursued by Hydro Tasmania include:
Substituting carbon-intensive fuels, such as diesel on King Island;
Purchase of fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles;
Internal programs to increase car sharing and pooling among staff;
Pricing carbon into investment decisions and purchasing practices;
Conducting energy audits and efficiency improvements in existing office buildings;
Installing renewable energy on the Bass Strait islands; and
Continuing to provide policy leadership in national climate change issues, including the design and implementation of the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target and Australian Emissions Trading Scheme.
In late May, the Tasmanian Government announced that it would provide a $220 million equity injection to Hydro Tasmania, subject to the approval of Parliament. Hydro Chairman Dr David Crean said the decision would help redress a financial imbalance created at the disaggregation of the Hydro Electric Commission in 1998, when Hydro Tasmania inherited more than $1 billion of the former organisation’s debt. Dr Crean said the equity injection, if approved, would be used to retire debt and improve Hydro Tasmania’s ability to compete in the National Electricity Market.
The 1,000 GWh project is a response to on-going pressures caused by drought and the need to maximise the system’s renewable energy capability. The commitment was announced by the Premier, Paul Lennon, at the opening of Hydro Tasmania Consulting’s new headquarters at Cambridge Park – the first building in the State to be awarded a five-star Green Star rating by the Green Building Council of Australia.
Hydro CEO, Vince Hawksworth, said: “Climate change is a reality and … a key strategic issue for Hydro Tasmania as it presents a significant risk to our business as a generator of hydro power with the on-going drought seeing our storages now standing at less than 19 per cent full. While Hydro Tasmania has recognised the potential impact of climate change for many years, as the evidence has mounted it has become important for the business to have a clear strategic response. Our plan places Hydro Tasmania at the forefront of world’s best practice in responding to climate change and puts us on a pathway to becoming Australia’s first carbon-neutral energy generator.”
Recent figures show that Hydro Tasmania emitted 642,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide last financial year, largely through gas generation at the Bell Bay Power Station. The task to reduce emissions to zero in only four years will be achieved by a combination of:
Decommissioning Bell Bay as soon as its critical role in supporting Tasmanian electricity supply is complete – hopefully as early as next year with the commissioning of the new, privately owned Tamar Valley Power Station.
Energy reduction and fuel substitution initiatives including fleet replacement, energy efficiency and Bass Strait Island renewable energy projects, many of which are already underway.
Off-setting emissions from staff flights, the Hydro Tasmania Consulting business and the vehicle fleet.
Mr Hawksworth said achieving the 2012 target would provide Hydro Tasmania with:
A competitive advantage in markets for “green” energy;
An influential voice in external policy debates; and
Capacity to promote the business and Tasmania as leaders in climate-change action.
The 1,000 Gwh project, involving potential investment of $400 million, includes: catchment diversions and diversion upgrades; raising existing storages; mini-hydro schemes; and new power station development or redevelopment of existing power stations.
Other initiatives being pursued by Hydro Tasmania include:
Substituting carbon-intensive fuels, such as diesel on King Island;
Purchase of fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles;
Internal programs to increase car sharing and pooling among staff;
Pricing carbon into investment decisions and purchasing practices;
Conducting energy audits and efficiency improvements in existing office buildings;
Installing renewable energy on the Bass Strait islands; and
Continuing to provide policy leadership in national climate change issues, including the design and implementation of the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target and Australian Emissions Trading Scheme.
In late May, the Tasmanian Government announced that it would provide a $220 million equity injection to Hydro Tasmania, subject to the approval of Parliament. Hydro Chairman Dr David Crean said the decision would help redress a financial imbalance created at the disaggregation of the Hydro Electric Commission in 1998, when Hydro Tasmania inherited more than $1 billion of the former organisation’s debt. Dr Crean said the equity injection, if approved, would be used to retire debt and improve Hydro Tasmania’s ability to compete in the National Electricity Market.
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