However, the utility added that it would continue to reply on gas-fired power generation from the Bell Bay plant but especially imports via the Basslink connector to mainland Australia.
Hydro Tasmania said that hydro storages had received 95% of expected rainfall for spring with storages rising by almost 7% from 1 September. It added that storage levels stood at just over 29%, which was similar to the same time a year ago.
It noted again that the period between October 2007 and May this year was the driest in terms of hydro storage for 75 years. In the fiscal year 2007-08, the utility saw hydro generation down by a fifth below target. By June, hydro storages were 16.5%, the lowest level in 40 years. By late October the storage level had improved to more than 29%.
David Marshall, energy resources manager, said in a statement: 'We are very confident that barring any unforeseen event like a massive Basslink failure we will have no problems providing power to the state.'
He added: 'Basslink continues to be crucial to maintaining security of supply.'
