Hydro Tasmania has set a target of becoming Australia’s first carbon neutral generator by 2012 as part of its response to the challenges of climate change. The commitment was announced at the opening of the new home for Hydro Tasmania Consulting at Cambridge. Hydro Tasmania is also targeting the development of an additional 1000 GWh of capability from the existing Tasmanian system with projects totalling more than $400 million in value over the next 12 years already identified. Currently the system generates around 9000 GWh. The 1000 GWh project is the result of the ongoing pressure of the drought on the Tasmanian hydro system and the need to maximise the renewable energy capability of that system to deliver long-term value to both the company and Tasmanians. Hydro Tasmania chief executive Vince Hawksworth says the announcements form just part of the company’s climate change response strategy. “It is also a key strategic issue for Hydro Tasmania as it presents a significant risk to our business as a generator of hydropower with the ongoing drought seeing our storages now standing at less than 19 per cent full,” says Hawksworth. Hydro Tasmania has recorded its second worst six-month period on record for rainfall – the worst was in 2006-07.
