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Category: Hydro Energy / Electricity Energy and Utilities / State Parliament

More diesel generators fired up to boost energy to Tasmania's power grid

Thursday, 31 Mar 2016 11:34:35 | Emilie Gramenz

The generators will bring Tasmania's diesel capacity to 100 megawatts. (ABC News: Ellen Coulter)

More diesel generators have begun operating at Tasmania's Meadowbank Power Station, adding vital power to the state's energy grid.

The generators are part of the State Government's $44 million Energy Supply Plan, formulated earlier this year in response to the deepening energy crisis.

The Basslink power interconnector which imports interstate electricity has been offline since December and is not expected to be fixed until mid-June, with the company only discovering the fault this week.

Meanwhile, Hydro Tasmania has warned that its dam levels - already at historic lows - are expected to drop even further.

Meadowbank Power Station lies outside New Norfolk and has the capacity to generate 40 megawatts of hydro power.

The new 24MW generators are among 100MW of diesel power due to be in place by today, with another 100MW scheduled to be available by the end of April.

Farmers braces for higher costs

Meadowbank Hydro Power Station Photo: Meadowbank hydro power station in July 2015. (ABC News )

It is costing the State Government $11 million a month to run the diesel generators.

Tasmanian farmers are bracing for power bill increases, with the peak agriculture body warning members of inevitable prices rises.

Wayne Johnston from the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) said it would be a significant burden.

"No doubt power prices will have to go up, because this has got to be paid for one way or another," he said.

"Some of our members are looking at a 45 to 50 per cent increase in their power."

Mr Johnston said any increases should be shared across the nation and not directed at any particular sector.

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