In Episode 5 of Energy Matters, we venture into the depths of the mighty Poatina Power Station in Tasmania’s Central Highlands. Roshan was joined by Jesse Clark, Executive General Manager of Assets & Infrastructure at Hydro Tasmania, to explore how this underground station is quietly powering thousands of homes – both in Tasmania and on the mainland – through smart hydroelectric design from Hydro Tasmania , owner of Momentum Energy.
Poatina means ‘cave’ in the Tasmanian Palawa language – a fitting name for a power station built deep within the mountains. Since its official opening 60 years ago, Poatina has operated largely out of sight, but its impact on Australia’s energy grid is far from hidden. With six turbines generating 360MW in total, this station is one of Hydro Tasmania’s largest assets – second largest in fact!
The station cleverly taps into gravity, using a dramatic 900-metre elevation drop from yingina/Great Lake down to the valley floor. Water from the lake is channelled through a long tunnel and pipeline, gaining momentum before reaching the turbines. This kinetic energy spins the turbines, converting it into clean, renewable electricity.
Once the water has passed through the turbines, it flows out into the Macquarie River. It’s an elegant system that can produce around 1,255 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity each year. That’s enough to power over 160,000 average Australian homes annually*.
Roshan noted that there’s often a misconception that renewable energy only entered Australia with the advent of solar power. Hydropower has delivered renewable energy to Tasmanians for over 100 years.
*Based on average household consumption of 7,500 kWh per year)
Hydropower is one of the oldest and most reliable forms of renewable energy. At Poatina, the process starts at the controlled release of water stored in yingina/Great Lake. The release sends the water plummeting down a near-vertical drop via penstocks – large steel pipes – directly into the underground powerhouse.
As the water falls, it picks up speed and pressure, striking the turbine blades with enough force to spin them at high velocity. These turbines are connected to generators, which convert the mechanical energy into electricity. It’s then transmitted via the Tasmanian grid to power homes, businesses and industries or exported to the mainland through the Basslink.
Because water can be stored and released as needed, hydro stations like Poatina offer flexibility in responding to demand peaks, making them invaluable for grid stability. This is especially important as more variable renewable energy sources like wind and solar are added to the national network.
Momentum Energy, the retail arm of Hydro Tasmania, retails energy to customers across several Australian states . So purchase your energy from the retailer owned by Australia’s largest generator of renewable energy.
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