HYDRO Tasmania is working through options with the Health Department to use the vacant Hydro building in Currie by the island’s Volunteer Ambulance and SES
Members of Hydro Tasmania’s executive and senior leadership team, including the the new chair Richard Bolt and CEO Ian Brooksbank, visited King Island recently.
This visit aimed to meet local staff, discuss upcoming work, tour field sites, and meet members of the King Island community.
Mayor Marcus Blackie joined the group for dinner in Currie.
“There are no further advances on the vacant building,” a Hydro Tasmania spokesperson said.
However, following the Hydro Tas visit, CEO Ian Brooksbank advised Mayor Marcus Blackie there are several factors to work through and he hoped to have a position landed in the near future.
“We understand the need on the island and will be in touch as soon as we have progressed our discussions,” Mr Brooksbank said.
Hydro Tasmania is currently using the building at Currie for storage while they assess longer-term options.
“At this stage, no decision has been made about the future of the building. If Hydro Tasmania does decide to transfer ownership of the building in the future, we will follow a fair and equitable process,” a Hydro spokesperson said.
Construction of the almost six-hectare solar farm, comprising 5000 panels is part of a long-term plan for King Island to transition away from diesel and to renewables.
The new King Island Solar Farm was officially completed at the start of August.
Hydro confirmed that there has been a delay in the solar farm completion.
“Currently, Hydro Tasmania is waiting for one final component that will connect the solar farm to the electricity grid.
“We expect the solar farm to be fully operational by the end of October.”
Hydro Tasmania’s electricity retailer Momentum increased their Bass Strait Island prices by 9.51 per cent on September 1 in parity with the July 1 Tasmanian mainland price rise approved by the Tasmanian Economic Regulator.
King Island has one all-energy Tariff 51 which increased to 31.7933 c per kWh for 2023 – 24. The island does not have other tariffs which are offered to other Tasmanian householders and businesses. Previously Hydro Tasmania said, “HydroTas under their Customer Service Obligation is chartered to guarantee electricity supply on the island …Our Community Service Obligation helps shield the island from the full cost of electricity generation.”
Since the first announcement of the Hydro Tasmania solar farm build, the company consistently says “The new solar farm will save an additional 300,000 litres in diesel and 800 tonnes in carbon emissions annually and deliver even greater reliability in electricity supply for local homes and businesses.”
Hydro Tasmania has not indicated that there would be any electricity cost saving for King Island residents or businesses due to and following the reduction in the company’s diesel purchase from TasPorts nor from the saving of 300000 litres in diesel consumption and the increased usage of solar in their renewable mix.