2016 Tasmanian energy crisis

Power supply crisis in Tasmania, Australia February 2016 July 2026 The 2016 Tasmanian energy crisis was an energy storage crisis in the state of Tasmania, Australia in 2016. Two years of high volumes of energy exported to Victoria via the Basslink HVDC cable, followed by low rainfall, and a fault which rendered the cable inoperable, resulted in record low storage levels in Tasmania's hydro-electric system. This resulted in a number of contingency plans to be enacted by Hydro Tasmania and the Hodgman Government. Background thumb|500px|Graph of Hydro Tasmania's system storage levels from March 2010 to March 2016. The blue line represents energy in storage. The shaded green area represents the period where the carbon tax was in place, and the red represents the period when Basslink was out of service. Tasmania's electricity generation is primarily hydro-electric, having been gradually developed since 1914. As a result, the state is highly dependent on rainfall for electricity generation. An energy shortage in the 1960s resulted in the construction of the oil-fired Bell Bay Power Station. However, this station was only used as a contingency - as of 2015, hydro-electricity continued to be the primary generation method.http://www.tasnetworks.com.au/TasNetworks/media/pdf/our-network/2015-Annual-Planning-Report.pdf TasNetworks Annual Planning Report, 2015, figure 3-3 25 February 2016 The state was self-reliant until 2005, when the Basslink HVDC interconnector to Victoria was completed. Basslink was intended to both provide energy security, in case of drought; and provide renewable energy to Victoria, which relies heavily on coal as a fuel source.Basslink: Decision making, expectations and outcomes http://www.electricity.dpac.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/155297/Basslink_-_Decision_Making,_Expectations_and_Outcomes.pdf Electricity Supply Industry Expert Panel December 2011 25 February 2016 24 April 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130424142311/http://www.electricity.dpac.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/155297/Basslink_-_Decision_Making,_Expectations_and_Outcomes.pdf dead Tasmania's reliance on hydro-electricity was further increased by the decommissioning of the Bell Bay Power Station in 2009, and the mothballing of several units of its replacement, the gas-fired Tamar Valley Power Station, including considering selling parts of the station.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-04/tas-government-tamar-valley-power-station-sale/5940042 Tas Government flags partial sale of gas-fired Tamar Valley power station ABC News Australia 4 December 2014 25 February 2016 Conversely, this reliance was reduced in part by the expansion of the Woolnorth Wind Farm in 2007 and the construction of the Musselroe Wind Farm in 2013. In July 2012, an Australian carbon pricing system came into effect, providing renewable electricity generators with a competitive advantage over greenhouse gas-emitting generators. The Abbott government had promised the repeal of the scheme in the lead-up to the 2013 federal election, in which they were successful. Anticipating that the carbon pricing scheme would be short-lived, Hydro Tasmania capitalised by increasing generation and running down storage levels over the period from July 2012 until the carbon price was repealed in July 2014. Hydro Tasmania's storage levels peaked around 62% in late 2012 before declining to 28% capacity on 1 July 2014.http://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/how-much-new-renewable-energy-does-tasmania-need-67697#_ftn1 How much new renewable energy does Tasmania need? RenewEconomy 22 February 2016 25 February 2016http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/ministerial_statement_on_energy_security Ministerial Statement on Energy Security www.premier.tas.gov.au 2016-03-11 9 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160309214644/http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/ministerial_statement_on_energy_security dead Whereas Hydro Tasmania's target minimum storage levels on 1 July each year was traditionally 30%, in September 2012 it lowered this target to 25%. Hydro Tasmania's storages did not recover significantly during the second half of 2014 or 2015, despite above average inflows from May to August 2015. Storage levels began dropping sharply from September 2015 due to extremely low inflows; October inflows were just 7% of the long-term average for that month. Basslink outage On 22 December 2015, Basslink announcedBasslink interconnector outage https://web.archive.org/web/20160229204625/http://www.basslink.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Media-Statement221215-final.pdf 29 February 2016 , Basslink Media release. 22 December 2015 that the HVDC cable had experienced a fault two days earlier (20 December) and was unable to transmit electricity in either direction.Tasmania forced to be self-reliant on power after Basslink cable outage http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-22/cable-fault-leaves-tasmania-unable-to-import-power/7047876 1 April 2016 Basslink is planning a major operation to repair its undersea power cable which has been shut down, halting power imports to Tasmania ABC News 23 December 2015Martin Corey Fault found in Basslink electricity cable http://www.examiner.com.au/story/3599136/fault-found-in-basslink-electricity-cable/ 1 April 2016 Basslink has been advised that there has been no impact to Tasmanian or Victorian residential or commercial customers to date as a result of this outage,” Mr Eccles said. The Examiner Fairfax Media 22 December 2015 The location of the fault was identified as approximately 100 km off the coast of Tasmania. Basslink informed the Australian Energy Market Operator that the interconnector would experience an outage of up to 60 days.http://www.examiner.com.au/story/3603166/busted-basslink-out-of-action/ Busted: Basslink out of action The Examiner 22 December 2015 26 February 2016 To diagnose the fault, Basslink contracted a range of specialist companies, including cable joiners from Italy and the submarine cable laying ship, Ile De Re.http://www.itnews.com.au/news/basslink-still-searching-for-cable-fault-414251 Basslink still searching for cable fault ITNews 28 January 2016 26 February 2016 The ship, which typically services communications cables, underwent modifications in the port of Geelong to suit HVDC cables.http://www.examiner.com.au/story/3689973/repairs-to-start-on-basslink-power-cable/ Repairs to start on Basslink power cable The Examiner (Tasmania) 27 January 2016 26 February 2016 The problem continued into February 2016,http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-25/tasmania-power-crisis-may-worsen-tasnetworks-industrial-action/7197782 Tasmania power crises may worsen ABC News (Australia) 25 February 2016 25 February 2016 and is considered to be an expensive problem to fix.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-23/tasmanias-energy-crisis-explained/7194234 Tasmania's energy crisis explained ABC News Australia 23 February 2016 26 February 2016 On 8 March 2016, Basslink announced they intended to cut the cable within a week and have the cable back in service by late May,http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-08/basslink-location-of-fault-narrowed-down/7229062 Basslink homes in on underwater cable fault ABC News Australia 8 March 2016 8 March 2016 with the cable actually being cut on the 11th.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-12/basslink-repairs-hit-internet-users-in-tasmania/7241896 Basslink repairs hit internet users in Tasmania ABC News Australia 11 March 2016 15 March 2016 At the end of March 2016, the fault had been identified, and the recovery date for Basslink had been put back to mid June 2016http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-29/basslink-pinpoints-fault-in-undersea-cable-tasmania/7280820?WT.ac=statenews_tas Basslink pinpoints fault in undersea power cable linking Tasmania to mainland Australia ABC News Australia 29 March 2016 15 July 2016 By the second last week of April 2016, the first stage of the repair was reported as completehttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-22/basslink-repair-on-track-and-should-be-completed-on-schedule/7350978?section=tas Basslink repair 'on track' and should be completed on schedule, Energy Minister says ABC News Australia 22 April 2016 15 July 2016 Power through the cable was restored on 13 June 2016.Electricity flow between Tasmania and Victoria restored http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-13/basslink-cable-fixed-power-flowing-victoria-and-tasmania/7505264 29 July 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 13 June 2016 After 9 days a separate non-cable fault caused another failure of power flow on 22 June.Basslink confirms fresh outage days after service resumes http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-22/basslnotherink-confirms-fresh-outage-undersea-cable/7532546 29 July 2016 ABC News ABC-Australia 22 June 2016 After almost 36 hours power flow was again restored in the evening of 23 June 2016.Basslink running again after 'mechanical failure' caused outage http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-24/basslink-back-up-and-running-again/7539178 29 July 2016 ABC News (ABC-Australia) 23 June 2016 Response Actions taken to minimise the consumption of water from Hydro Tasmania's storages included: Recommissioning of the gas-fired Tamar Valley Power Station Striking agreements with three major industrial customers - Tamar Valley smelters Bell Bay and TEMCO, and Norske Skog's papermill at Boyer - to reduce their load by a combined 180 MWhttp://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/another-big-industrial-trims-demand-as-tasmania-energy-crisis-deepens-36104 Another big industrial trims demand as Tasmania energy crisis deepens RenewEconomy 1 March 2016 8 March 2016http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-04/power-rationing-bell-bay-aluminium-agrees-to-reduce-power/7140624 Power rationing ABC News Australia 23 February 2016 7 March 2016 Deploying up to 200 MW of portable diesel generatorshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-04/environmental-watchdog-fast-tracks-approval-of-diesel-generators/7222478?section=tas Environmental watchdog fast tracks diesel generators ABC News Australia 4 March 2016 7 March 2016http://www.examiner.com.au/story/3770853/tasmania-battles-to-keep-lights-on-with-cloud-seeding-and-diesel-generators/ Tasmania battles to keep lights on with cloud seeding and diesel generators The Examiner (Tasmania) 4 March 2016 7 March 2016 Bringing Hydro Tasmania's cloud seeding program, usually scheduled to start in May each year, forward by a month Also at a political level, the unresolved problem seems to have no cross party agreement on the issues.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-06/energy-minister-set-for-grilling-as-parliament-resumes/7224626 Energy Minister set for grilling ABC News Australia 23 February 2016 7 March 2016 Long term ramifications are also being considered.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-22/tasmanian-government-frontbencher-matthew-groom/7190376 Tasmanian frontbencher Matthew Groom ABC News Australia 22 February 2016 7 March 2016http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-07/hydro-tasmania-in-uncharted-territory/7227494 Hydro Tasmania in uncharted territory ABC News Australia 7 March 2016 7 March 2016http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-23/tasmanian-government-considers-long-term-loss-of-basslink-cable/7192408 Tasmanian government considers long term loss of Basslink cable ABC News Australia 23 February 2016 7 March 2016 The prospect of the Basslink connection being lost permanently also is being considered.http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-cable-and-company-may-be-sunk/news-story/c27abfae07080db30a9ee97138960b53 Category The Mercury 2016-04-14 2016-07-15 The dam makers of the early dam making era of Hydro Tasmania also have offered their reflectionshttp://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-blocked-dam-would-have-added-security/news-story/98daa7e26ce79b51c436fe3ae61d90d0 Talking ponit: Blocked dam would have added security The Mercury 2016-04-14 2016-07-15 with no allowance or concession to any of the alternatives that were offered in the 1980s as viable energy generating infrastructure. On 8 March 2016 Tasmanian Energy Minister Matthew Groom delivered a statement on energy security, summarising the government's actions to date and announcing future steps to manage the energy crisis, including the formation of a Tasmanian Energy Security Taskforce.http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/ministerial_statement_on_energy_security Ministerial Statement on Energy Security www.premier.tas.gov.au 2016-03-09 9 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160309214644/http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/ministerial_statement_on_energy_security dead The cutting of the Basslink cable also severed part of the internet link to Tasmania.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-12/basslink-repairs-hit-internet-users-in-tasmania/7241896 Basslink repairs hit internet users in Tasmania ABC News Australia 12 March 2016 12 March 2016http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-13/tasmanian-internet-users-assured-services-will-improve-by-week/7242728 Tasmanian internet problems: ISPs secure extra bandwidth amid Basslink repairs ABC News Australia 2016-03-13 2016-07-15http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-14/accc-to-look-into-concerns-about-isp-access-to-telstra-cables/7244876 Basslink repairs: ACCC to look into concerns about ISP access to Telstra cables ABC News Australia 2016-07-15http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-13/bryan-green-calls-for-accc-probe-into-basslink-repairs/7243256 Basslink repairs: Bryan Green calls for ACCC investigation as internet disruptions continue ABC News Australia 2016-03-13 2016-07-15 The state government had considered requesting funding for a second cable,http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-09/tasmanian-government-wants-federal-funding-of-second-basslink/7231714 Tasmanian energy crisis: State Government seeks federal funding for second Basslink cable ABC News Australia 2016-03-09 2016-07-15 while the fault seeking on the first cable was apparently unsuccessful.McIntyre Damian Tasmania energy crisis: Basslink still unsure where cable fault is, facing 'phenomenal' repair costs http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-15/basslink-still-unsure-where-cable-fault-is/7247772?section=environment 1 April 2016 Repair crews are still unsure where the fault in Tasmania's vital undersea cable is days after cutting it, Basslink chief executive Malcolm Eccles says. ABC News 15 March 2016 The subsequent comments from the Opposition regarding the growing crisis were rebutted as scaremongering.Hunt Linda Tasmanian Opposition accused of scaremongering over energy crisis http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-15/tasmanian-opposition-accused-of-scaremongering-energy-crisis/7249246 1 April 2016 Tasmania's Energy Minister has accused the Opposition of scaremongering over the state's energy crisis, saying rain will eventually ease the situation. ABC News Australia 15 March 2016 The energy crisis elicited a response for inquiries and examination of issues, including recent Hydro Tasmania management.http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-hydro-water-assets-badly-managed-and-heads-need-to-roll/news-story/4884d8fed6ef5cfd0c8f5c1565e2fd59 Talknig point: Hydro water assets badly managed and heads need to roll The Mercury 2016-04-14 2016-07-15http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-energy-security-crisis-has-its-roots-in-basslink-business-case/news-story/f97e2e79d1eefc84280cd4f75c37e187 Talking point: Energy security crisis has its roots in Basslink business case The Mercury 2016-04-14 2016-07-15 Issues of residual capacity By March 2016 Tasmanian media were discussing the extent to which Hydro Tasmania would be able to draw upon very low water levels in dams and still create energy from the downstream power stations.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-24/lake-gordon-capable-power-generation-despite-record-lows/7275114 Lake Gordon available for power generation despite record low water levels Hydro Tasmania says ABC News Australia 2016-03-24 2016-07-15http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-07/hydro-tasmania-in-uncharted-territory/7227494 Tasmanian energy crisis: Hydro Tasmania in uncharted territory as dam levels continue to drop ABC News Australia 2016-03-07 2016-07-15 In late March 2016, with no resolution to issues in sight,http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-22/tasmania-blackouts-likely-as-energy-crisis-deepends-union-says/7266828 Hydro Tasmania staff preparing their homes for 24-hour blackouts, union says ABC News Australia 22 March 2016 2016-07-15http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-23/tasmanian-csiro-staff-warned-to-prepare-for-power-load-shedding/7269092 Tasmanian energy crisis: CSIRO buys generators to protect critical facilities against power restrictions ABC News Australia 2016-03-23 2016-07-15http://www.energymatters.com.au/renewable-news/tasmania-electricity-crisis-em5399/ Tasmania's Energy Crisis : Keep Calm And Carry On Energy Matters 2016-03-25 2016-07-15 saw the upgrading of the Tamar Valley Power Station gas turbine capacityPapadopoulos, Toli http://www.examiner.com.au/story/3813156/gas-turbine-to-improve-energy-crisis/?cs=95 Tamar gas turbine to address energy crisis The Examiner 2016-03-26 2016-07-15 Some commentators saw the crisis as requiring consideration of the issues arising as imperative for the future of Tasmania.http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-seeds-of-change-on-rocky-ground/news-story/a2215dcdea9c0cf7f363de406f672d44 Talking Point: New ideas needed in energy crisis The Mercury 2016-04-14 2016-07-15Rayner Tristan http://www.techly.com.au/2016/03/24/tasmania-looks-pretty-f-cked-heres/ Tasmania looks pretty f-cked: Here's why Techly 2016-03-24 2016-07-15 29 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160329074553/http://www.techly.com.au/2016/03/24/tasmania-looks-pretty-f-cked-heres/ dead Some businesses and business groups took steps to safeguard their power supplies regardless of official pronouncements about power cuts. https://www.news.com.au/national/tasmania/businesses-ignore-ministers-assurances-over-energy-security-and-prepare-for-worst/news-story/1d382142b3320c9a8f72be2531f7e6d2 Businesses preparing power cut plans news.com.au 2016-03-24 2016-07-15 By late March 2016, Hydro Tasmania was to state lower levels on dam holdings than previously statedhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-30/hydro-tasmanian-revises-falling-dam-levels/7284020?WT.ac=statenews_tas Energy crisis: Hydro Tasmania warns dam levels to drop lower than predicted ABC News Australia 30 March 2016 2016-07-15 and the state of the major dam of the system Lake Gordon had been recorded in its lowest record levelhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-31/lake-gordon-dam-level-fall-captured-in-dramatic-video/7289020 Tasmanian energy crisis: Lake Gordon dam level fall captured in dramatic video ABC News Australia 2016-03-31 2016-07-15 leading some commentators to suggest the option of bringing up an issue from some decades before, of the draining of the hydro-dam created new Lake Pedder back to the level of the original Lake Pedder.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-28/prospect-of-tapping-lake-pedder-prompts-restoration-calls/7206026 Prospect of tapping Lake Pedder for water prompts calls for it to be restored to pre-flood state ABC News Australia 2016-02-28 2016-07-15 Energy use Concern of change of weather conditions and potential increased energy usage was noted in Marchhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-24/tasmanian-energy-use-campaign-urged-ahead-of-winter/7272778 Tasmanian energy use campaign urged ahead of winter ABC News Australia 2016-03-24 2016-07-15 with the Minister for Energy Matthew Groom calling for sensible energy usage.Burgess, Georgie http://www.examiner.com.au/story/3817914/groom-calls-for-sensible-energy-use/?cs=95 Groom calls for 'sensible' energy use The Examiner 2016-03-29 2016-07-15http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-uncertainty-is-the-most-certain-factor-in-tasmanias-energy-crisis/news-story/f9997c11458011542c8e4957df3679d5 Talking Point: Uncertainty is the most certain factor in Tasmania's energy crisis The Mercury 2016-04-14 2016-07-15Sayer, Luke http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/3815368/last-one-out-can-just-forget-about-the-lights/ Last one out can just forget about the lights The Advocate 2016-03-29 2016-07-15 A series of diesel generators were installed at Meadowbank Power Station, to be part of the apparent short-term solution until June.Battersby, Lucy http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/3819291/tasmania-relying-on-150-diesel-generators-for-electricity-until-june/ Tasmania relying on 150 diesel generators for electricity until June The Advocate 2016-03-30 2016-07-15 The ABC News website explanation of the issue of energy use was regularly updated.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-23/tasmanias-energy-crisis-explained/7194234 Tasmania power crisis: Avoiding shortages will be costly, experts say ABC News Australia 23 February 2016 2016-07-15 In April 2016, Hydro Tasmania commenced advertising for conservation of energy by Tasmanians with newspaper advertisements.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-02/hydro-tasmania-encourages-consumers-to-save-energy/7294332 Tasmanian Government encourages consumers to save energy, help conserve water in dams ABC News Australia 2 April 2016 2016-07-15 Financial and political impact Regardless of the timeline or subsequent resolution of some of the issues, the impact of the crisis, financially and politically, on bankshttps://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/dataroom/banks-feel-the-heat-of-tassies-cable-capers/news-story/b6b5a0d9c996861ae561493f280408d5 Banks feel the heat of Tassies cable capers The Australian subscription 2016-07-15 and the Tasmanian government, was expected to be substantial.http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-hydros-mounting-money-woes-will-kinghit-state-coffers/news-story/9cdd8060f773df178fc1fab70c50e580 Talking Point: Hydro's mounting money woes will king-hit state coffers The Mercury 2016-04-14 2016-07-15http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-uncanny-sense-of-deja-vu/news-story/e61737d2486f46c5fad60d420a256c2a Talking Point: Uncanny sense of deja vu The Mercury 2016-04-14 2016-07-15 However, for industry, there were different expectations in relation to power supply.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-01/major-industry-unlikely-to-be-left-in-lurch-over-energy-crisis/7290996 Tasmanian energy crisis: Major industry unlikely to be left in lurch, expert says ABC News Australia 2016-04-01 2016-07-15 Outside perspectives and comparisons A few commentators from outside Tasmania tried to put perspective on the issues relative to the larger picture of how political and Hydro Tasmania level decisions affected the current energy issues.http://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/tasmania-missed-nine-key-energy-targets-73165 How Tasmania missed its nine key energy targets Renew Economy 2016-03-14 2016-07-15 http://www.theage.com.au/business/energy/cloudseeding-and-diesel-generators-tasmanias-battle-to-keep-lights-on-20160302-gn8g5h Tasmania battles to keep lights on with cloud-seeding and diesel generators The Age 2016-03-07 2016-07-15http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-opportunity-knocks-for-power/news-story/ea4559ca1a77964391fc0cbd2e0cc43e Talking point: Opportunity knocks for power The Mercury 2016-04-14 2016-07-15 Recent Hydro Tasmania board decisions also had been under the spotlight from former staff. http://www.examiner.com.au/story/3674825/hydros-decisions-attacked/?cs=95 Hydro's decisions attacked The Examiner 2016-01-19 2016-07-15 http://www.examiner.com.au/story/3674633/hydro-tasmanias-performance-leaks/ Hydro Tasmania's performance leaks The Examiner 2016-01-19 2016-07-15 Many mainland commentators also focus upon the need to change current policies and practices relative to energy.http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/letters/tasmanias-power-crisis-should-galvanise-change/news-story/0d61cf7f90dac003affe01808072c83d https://web.archive.org/web/20160508024157/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/letters/tasmanias-power-crisis-should-galvanise-change/news-story/0d61cf7f90dac003affe01808072c83d dead 8 May 2016 Tasmania's power crisis should galvanise change The Australian 2016-07-15 Blackouts and plans It was claimed in early April that:http://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/tasmanian-labor-reveals-power-blackout-plans/news-story/7dd7f23eda8a23c7c40defccad9ec829 Tasmanian Labor reveals power blackout plans The Mercury 2016-04-14 2016-07-15 “active discussions” for more than three months about enforced blackouts and brownouts However this did not agree with the public statements of the Minister.http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/hydro-dam-levels-plummet-but-minister-says-small-households-dont-need-to-ration-power/news-story/bee8d3070238e27ec6ceef2420e16a07 Hydro dam levels plummet but minister says small households don't need to ration power The Mercury 2016-04-14 2016-07-15 Various sectors of the Tasmanian community, as well as regions, were concerned at the prospect of loss of energy available to support their industries.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-07/tasmania-energy-crisis-agriculture/7307220?section=tas Tasmanian farmers calm in face of state's energy woes - ABC Rural (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Abc.net.au 2016-04-07 2016-07-15http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-31/north-west-tasmanian-businesses-urged-to-be-prepared/7287816 North-west Tasmanian businesses urged to be prepared for potential power cuts ABC News Australia 2016-03-31 2016-07-15 The explanation of how the issue developed continued in the media in May 2016, https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environment/2016/04/30/tasmanias-power-crisis/14619384003188 Tasmania's power crisis The Saturday Paper 2016-04-30 2016-07-15 as well as delays due to Bass Strait conditionshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-03/basslink-repair-delayed-another-week-by-wild-weather/7380630?section=tas Basslink repair delayed by wild weather, but expected completion date remains mid-June ABC News Australia 3 May 2016 2016-07-15 as well as differences as to the explanation of the cause of the break in Basslink.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-10/tests-fail-to-pinpoint-the-cause-of-basslink-cables-failure/7399440 Basslink repairs: UK tests fail to pinpoint cause of cable's December failure ABC News Australia 2016-05-10 2016-07-15http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-10/basslink-and-groom-at-odds-over-cables-fault-testing/7402168?WT.ac=statenews_tas Basslink and Groom at odds after tests on faulty cable prove inconclusive ABC News Australia 2016-05-10 2016-07-15 Also rain had raised dam levels.Langenberg, Adam http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/3897475/boost-to-energy-levels/ Boost to energy levels The Advocate 2016-05-09 2016-07-15Gurra Bianca http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-09/warnings-of-abnormally-high-tides-amid-a-very-wet-weather-forec/7395046?section=tas Abnormally high tides and wet week forecast for Tasmania ABC News Australia 2016-05-09 2016-07-15 Resolution The power crisis was expected to be resolved by the Basslink repair, expected by mid-June 2016, http://www.afr.com/business/energy/tasmanias-electricity-crisis-wont-be-over-until-june-20160308-gndgfb Tasmania's electricity crisis won't be over until June Australian Financial Review Australia 2016-03-08 2016-07-15 and increased rain for hydro storages. However strategies prior to the resolution involved further utilisation of diesel power units delegated to power stations.Gramenz Emilie Tasmanian energy crisis: More diesel generators fired up to boost power grid http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-31/temporary-diesel-generators-unveilled-meadowbank-power-station/7287076 1 April 2016 Hydro Tasmania has almost completed rolling out the first tranche of diesel generators to boost generation capacity, as the state's energy crisis deepens. ABC News 1 April 2016 In March 2016 the Minister for Energy stated:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-08/energy-minister-gives-update-on-power-crisis/7228572 Tasmania basslink power crisis: Matthew Groom aims to boost gas, form taskforce to solve energy woes ABC News Australia 2016-03-08 2016-07-15 "The Government can't control the rain, the Government can't control the timing of Basslink," he said. "What we can control are contingencies that we can put in place to make sure that we can meet Tasmania's ongoing energy requirements." In April, there was a suggestion that unseasonal weather in June (18 consecutive clear days on Bass Strait) was required for a successful re-connection to occur, put the question of possible further delays.Reichert Corinne https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/networking/basslink-subsea-cable-repairs-rely-on-18-days-of-clear-weather/ Basslink subsea cable repairs rely on 18 days of clear weather ZDNet.com 2016-04-15 2016-07-15 On 12 May 2016, the Hydro Tasmania website announced a return to usual practices of hydro facilities:http://www.hydro.com.au/about-us/news/2016-05/tasmania-currently-completely-renewable Tasmania currently completely renewable | Hydro Tasmania Hydro.com.au 2016-05-12 2016-07-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20160516162525/http://www.hydro.com.au/about-us/news/2016-05/tasmania-currently-completely-renewable 16 May 2016 dead Over the past week, Hydro Tasmania has stopped all diesel generation and wound back gas to prevent spill in smaller hydro storages because of high inflows. Yesterday, the combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) at the Tamar Valley Power Station was turned off, as continued high inflows push storages close to spilling at a number of locations. In the same week, rainfall rates in Tasmania were well above average.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-13/big-rainfall-in-tasmanias-dam-catchments/7413212?section=tas Tasmania's dam catchment areas get a month of rain in a fortnight ABC News Australia 2016-05-13 2016-07-15 Senate inquiry Early in 2016, members of the Australian Senate decided to hold an inquiry into the crisis,http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-13/labor-greens-want-senate-inquiry-tasmania-energy-crisis/7243038 Tasmanian energy crisis: Labor, Greens want Senate inquiry ABC News Australia 13 March 2016 2016-07-15 planned to occur in April 2016.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-02/senate-inquiry-into-tasmanias-energy-crisis-imminent/7293592 Tasmanian energy crisis: Senate inquiry to have first hearing mid-April ABC News Australia 2016-04-02 2016-07-15 The Tasmanian Minister for Energy's response to the impending inquiry on 14 April was a claim that he had not been asked to attend.http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/senate-probe-into-tasmanias-power-crisis-faces-shortcircuit-by-energy-minister-matthew-groom/news-story/917c4217fe62f22a285ec21c8e3fdf0a Senate probe into Tasmania's power crisis faces short-circuit by Energy Minister Matthew Groom The Mercury 2016-04-14 2016-07-15 The Premier's perspective was to criticise the inquiry as a federal election tactic, in the face of internal documents showing serious concern from within Hydro Tasmania regarding its water levels.Humphries, Alexandra http://www.examiner.com.au/story/3827297/dam-levels-risk-extreme/?cs=95 Dam levels 'risk extreme' The Examiner 2016-04-03 2016-07-15http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-03/labor-keeps-up-pressure-over-tasmanian-energy-crisis/7295330?section=tas Tasmanian energy crisis: Labor keeps up pressure on State Government, calling for dam level data ABC News Australia 2016-04-03 2016-07-15 The Senate inquiry commenced on 14 Aprilhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-14/energy-minister-matthew-groom-to-front-senate-inquiry/7323852?section=tas Tasmanian energy: Greens declare generators an 'environmental crisis' as inquiry begins ABC News Australia 2016-04-14 2016-07-15 and the Premier advised that Hydro Tasmania staff would not attend:Burgess, Georgie http://www.examiner.com.au/story/3847084/turbine-due-for-winter-repairs/ Turbine due for winter repairs The Examiner 2016-04-13 2016-07-15 Mr Groom has said Hydro staff should not be distracted during the energy situation During the Senate inquiry, a range of issues raised before the committee sat were downplayed by the Minister and government staff.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-20/energy-minister-fails-to-say-if-aware-of-basslink-outage-concern/7340516 Power crisis: Energy Minister downplays Hydro Tasmania committee documents on Basslink cable failure ABC News Australia 2016-04-20 2016-07-15 The Tasmanian Treasurer refused to publicly reveal costs of the crisis.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-16/tasmanian-treasurer-tight-lipped-on-energy-costs/7332448 Tasmanian energy crisis: Treasurer Peter Gutwein refuses to reveal power bill costs ABC News Australia 16 April 2016 2016-07-15 See also Australia Energy List of power stations in Tasmania 2016 South Australian blackout References 30em External links Hydro Tasmania lake level data Energy crisis Category:2016 in economic history 2016 crisis Category:Energy crises in Australia Energy crisis