Hydro Tasmania's highest priority is managing water storages in light of historic low rainfalls, which will provide Tasmanian homes and businesses with a secure and reliable energy supply.

Due to an extremely dry summer and autumn, Hydro Tasmania’s storages are lower than usual for this time of year. Despite storages steadily increasing over recent weeks, the total energy in storage figure of 32.7 per cent has crossed the Prudent Storage Level today.

Tasmania’s Energy Security Framework includes measures to monitor energy security during drier periods, including the High Reliability Level (HRL) and above that, the Prudent Storage Level (PSL).

Tasmania’s energy storage position remains secure, and Hydro Tasmania – working closely with the State Government - is actively managing water storages.

Generation Manager, Jack Penny, said the Framework was introduced following the 2016 energy supply challenge to help manage storage security.

“We’ve had the driest summer to autumn period on record and unseasonable low rainfalls in July, so our storages are lower than usual at this time of year,” Mr Penny said.

“Dropping below the PSL is not cause for alarm - storages crossed the threshold in 2019, and Hydro Tasmania adjusted its operations accordingly to maintain water storages.