The 8.5MW Lake Margaret plant has been closed since mid-2006 over concerns about the potential failure of the woodstave pipeline. The improvement work is scheduled to be completed by 2009. The plant generates 50GWh per year.
Redevelopment work includes replacement of the woodstave pipeline in timber, maintenance and upgrade of the dam, modification of the hilltop valve and replacement of a transformer. Additional modifications will allows unattended operation of the plant.
The utility added that despite the ongoing drought conditions the reservoir storage volumes finished the 12 months to the end of June at almost the same percentage as last time.
Hydro Tasmania said that storages were at 19.1% yesterday compared to 19.3% at the end of June 2007.
It noted, though, that rainfall recently has been at or below average and the steady state on overall storage volumes was only met following strong, early Winter inflows over the last week. Inflows over the entire month, however, were only 70% of expected rates. Consequently, the November to June period was the driest since 1934.
Due to the persistent drought conditions, the utility has had to rely on electricity imports via the Basslink Connector to the Australian mainland. In June, 194GWh were imported and 5GWh exported, and hydropower met only 60% of demand in Tasmania.
