Tasmania’s hydro storage drops below ‘prudent level’ after dry months, but experts not concerned yet – Michmutters
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Australia

Tasmania’s hydro storage drops below ‘prudent level’ after dry months, but experts not concerned yet

An historically dry Tasmanian summer and autumn has led to the state’s dam levels dropping below a “prudent” threshold for the first time in three years.

The state’s energy storages are at 32.7 per cent, lower than usual and below Hydro Tasmania’s prudent storage level.

It is the first time storages have gone below the prudent storage level — introduced after the 2016 energy crisis where dam levels plunged below 13 per cent due to dry weather and an extended outage of the Basslink undersea cable — since 2019.

Hydro Tasmania generation manager Jack Penny said storages were lower due to the state experiencing its driest summer to autumn period on record, plus unseasonably low July rainfalls.

He said dropping below the prudent storage level was “not cause for alarm”.

An infographic showing how Hydro Tasmania measures energy security.
Hydro Tasmania’s methodology for calculating energy security.(Supplied: Hydro Tasmania)

“Storages crossed the threshold in 2019, and Hydro Tasmania adjusted its operations accordingly to maintain water storages,” Mr Penny said.

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