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GLOBAL RENEWABLES ONLINE - MAY/JUNE 2012
HYDRO TASMANIA—PROVING THE
POWER OF NATURAL THINKING
S
INCE THE COMPANY built its
first hydropower project almost
100 years ago, Hydro Tasmania has
pioneered renewable energy develop-
ment in Australia.
The company is Australia’s larg-
est producer of renewable energy, and
employs the use of water and wind
to produce energy that is sold nation-
ally. With major projects in Tasmania
in wind and water, the company trades
electricity and energy-related environ-
mental products, including Renewable
Energy Certificates (RECs) on the Aus-
tralian market.
Hydro Tasmania is owned by the
Government of Tasmania, with assets
of approximately $5 billion. With more
than 900 staff, the company is a renew-
able energy powerhouse—continuing
to expand its power portfolio nation-
wide. Hydro Tasmania is responsible
for 53 of Tasmania’s major lakes and
at least 1200 km of natural creeks and
rivers which are influenced by the
company’s hydropower operations in
some way, and the company is “fully
committed to the sustainable use of
this shared resource.” Between wind
and hydropower, Hydro Tasmania sets
the bar for sustainable energy genera-
tion—in Australia and throughout the
world.
As a renewable energy producer,
sustainability is core to Hydro Tasma-
nia operations. The company says that
“sustainability means just that—plan-
ning for the future using open and
considered business decisions and
activities.” Within the Hydro Tasmania
business, the company is focused on
economic sustainability, meaning that
the company’s financial practices focus
on long-term success “not only of our
business but those we work with…
Employing locals for international
projects is a good example of this.”
The company is accountable to the en-
vironment, as well as their communi-
ties: “We recognise that our employees
are the future of our organisation. Our
stakeholders and the community are
involved in our planning for the fu-
ture.”
According to reports, in 2009-
2010, Hydro Tasmania spent $5.6 mil-
lion on the environment. Of this spend,
$302,000 was on waste removal and
rehabilitation and the balance on envi-
ronmental management and preven-
tion. The company has developed a
sustainability code, which incorporates
six principles into decision-making
tools. Hydro Tasmania continues to
work through its employees to embed
sustainable practices.
WATER
Hydro Tasmania is Australia’s