More interconnection is crucial for plans to double Tasmania’s renewable energy capacity and give Tasmanians the lowest possible power prices.

Hydro Tasmania welcomes the Tasmanian and Australian Governments’ commitment to pursue the next stage of a business case for a second Bass Strait interconnector.

The CEO of Hydro Tasmania, Steve Davy, said the Battery of the Nation initiative offers a future that’s clean, reliable and affordable, and the case for more interconnection is only getting stronger.

“Battery of the Nation is about locking in our island’s energy security and giving Tasmanians the lowest possible power prices,” Mr Davy said.

“Put simply, if Tasmania wants significantly more renewable energy development, including wind and solar, it needs more interconnection to get its product to market.

“More interconnection will signal that Tasmania’s own energy security is beyond assured, and the rest of Australia can benefit from our future surplus of clean electricity,” he said.

The Battery of the Nation initiative would double Tasmania’s clean energy capacity to about 5,000 megawatts by developing pumped hydro energy storage, attracting more private wind farms, and upgrading Hydro Tasmania’s current hydro assets.

Early modelling shows it would create up to $5 billion of investment and 3,000 jobs in regional Tasmania over 10 to 15 years.

Ends.

Released for Hydro Tasmania by Rowan Dix, (03) 62305330 / 0409 722359 / media@hydro.com.au.