The electricity utility said that it has had 10 months of below average yield from its storages, and added that if the trend continues it is headed for its driest three-year period.
Total storages are at 22.4% full compared to 26.8% at the same time last year. Hydro Tasmania added that large specific storages are also down, such as Great Lake and Lake Gordon which have fallen to 19.1% from 20.5% and 18.5% from 20%, respectively.
Hydro Tasmania is relying more on gas generation from the Bell Bay plant and electricity imports via the Basslink connector, and in terms of hydro resources is becoming more reliant on inflows.
In the 12 months to the end of August, the utility met 54% of demand from inflows and 8% from existing storage. Basslink imports covered 24% of demand and gas generation and wind energy 11% and 3%, respectively.
In a statement, the utility's energy resources manager, David Marshall, said: “Our storages are currently the lowest we have seen at this time of year, which is concerning as we head into summer.”
