Hydro Tasmania opened the doors of Tungatinah Power Station on Friday, giving members of the public a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the state’s key energy facilities.
The guided tours showcased how Tasmania harnesses water to generate electricity and showed off more than a century of hydropower history.
Ruth Groom from Hydro Tasmania said the tours offered a unique chance to connect with the state’s energy heritage.
“Our power station tours create a moment for the public to meet some of our dedicated power station operators and connect with the hydropower assets that have been powering Tasmania for more than 100 years,” she said.
“It’s a chance to share the long and proud history of hydropower in Tasmania and the plans we have for the future.”
Brisbane couple Scott and Marcia Reid made the trip specifically for the tour.
As a fitter and welder, Scott said he’d always been fascinated by hydropower.
“Every time I drive past a power station I always stop and take a photo and have a look around, but when you get the chance to go inside and see the innerworkings you just go ‘wow,'” he said.
The tour took visitors deep into the facility, from the turbines to the generating hall and switch room.
“I highly recommend doing a power station tour, I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Scott said.
Tungatinah generates 142.2 MW and is one of 10 major stations in the Derwent Hydropower Scheme.
Water from several lakes flows through five turbines before reaching Lake Liapootah and continuing to downstream stations.
The power station was commissioned in 1956 as part of the broader Derwent scheme, which began construction in 1934 and was completed in 1968.
Participants also explored the historic Tarraleah Estate, where workers who built the scheme once lived.
