It's hard to imagine life without electricity at the flick of a switch.
It began just over a century ago. The Hydro. Built from hard work and under the toughest conditions Tasmania can give. A legacy of rushing water was born from our great lakes and continues to this day.
Today, Tasmania is ahead of the pack. 100% self-sufficient in renewable energy. Hydropower built opportunity and industry. Now, we look to the next milestone.
Moving away from reliance on fossil fuels is already underway, and we need to be ready. Our country still relies heavily on coal for most of its power. This won’t be the case in the future. Coal-fired power stations are closing and by 2040, it’s expected there won’t be any coal plants generating. As the world changes, more clean energy is needed. To power our businesses, cars, BBQs, schools and cafes. Tasmania has the advantage. Our dams are like big batteries. The water from our lakes generates electricity exactly when we need it.
We have the chance to act decisively, just like the original pioneers. We can upgrade our hydropower schemes to produce more clean energy right here in Tasmania. Our hydro will be there when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining.
It begun in 1914, with two hundred men and an open-carriage tramway. Thousands of people from around the world flocked to Tasmania to be part of its construction.
Through water and wind, Tasmania’s needs are met with clean energy. Check out our explainer videos on hydroelectricity and how it's transferred to your homes and businesses.
The water that fills our dams has potential – energy, that is! As the world changes, our hydropower will be here when the sun isn’t shining, or the wind isn’t blowing.
We know energy like the back of our hands, but sometimes these topics can be difficult to understand. Our Generation Hydro program develops curriculum-aligned teaching resources on electricity, hydropower and environmental management, to teach the next generation of Tasmanians and understand career pathways.