Hydro Tasmania is open to proposals for new wind and solar developments across Tasmania to bring more power to the state’s grid.
The government-owned enterprise is looking to sign a commercial offtake agreement with interested partners for projects that can deliver up to 1,500GWhh annually and be operational within the next five to six years.
Hydro Tasmania executive general manager – commercial Vedran Kovac said Hydro Tasmania’s open tender is part of efforts to meet future demand, as the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) forecasts Tasmanian energy demand will grow from 2030.
“Investment in new solar and wind projects will enable existing and future energy-intensive industries to expand in Tasmania,” said Kovac.
“The best way to meet future demand is a combination of wind, solar and hydropower.”
Kovac noted that there are financial incentives for wind and solar developers in partnering with Hydro Tasmania.
“Signing an offtake agreement with a credit-worthy party like Hydro Tasmania is an important step for wind and solar developers to secure attractive financing terms to progress their projects.”
“It has to be commercial and stack up for Tasmanians, but working together, we can bring new energy online for the state,” Kovac said.
The open tender is part of the Tasmanian government’s efforts to expand renewable energy to meet energy needs. Tasmania is looking to double its renewable energy target from 2020 levels by 2040, with a goal of producing 21,000GWh of electricity in one year by 2040.
In 2024, Hydro Tasmania agreed to buy energy generated at a proposed 288-megawatt solar farm in the Northern Midlands. When operating at full capacity, it will be Tasmania’s fourth largest generator.
Hydro Tasmania’s tender is open until December 5.
