A $62 million upgrade to Tasmania’s Lemonthyme Power Station has passed the halfway mark, with the project expected to wrap up by the end of 2026.
The station, part of the Mersey-Forth hydropower scheme, is getting its first full overhaul since it was commissioned in 1969.
Energy and Renewables Minister Nick Duigan said the works would extend the power station’s life by 30 years.
“The Lemonthyme Power Station is undergoing its first full upgrade since it was commissioned in 1969, that’s nearly 60 years,” Duigan said.
“The works will add an additional 30 years on to the power station’s life.”
“This upgrade is about making the power station more efficient and reliable.”
The single-turbine station is getting a new turbine runner, main inlet valve, distributor, a refurbished turbine relief valve and a full electrical upgrade.
“A turbine runner, for example, is the part that converts water to electricity and the distributor, as it sounds, controls and distributes the flow of water,” Duigan said.
“These upgrades will increase the station’s efficiency, allowing us to generate more electricity from the same amount of water.”
Around 13 local specialist contractors have been involved in the project, providing services including steel works, platform design, transport frames and jigs and fixtures.
The Lemonthyme station produces 54 megawatts at full capacity.
The broader Mersey-Forth scheme has a generating capacity of 290 megawatts, which accounts for 10% of Tasmania’s power.
Upgrades at five other stations in the scheme – Paloona, Devils Gate, Wilmot, Cethana and Rowallan – have already been completed.
Once Lemonthyme is finished, only one station will remain.
The upgrade of the final power station, Fisher, is due to start in 2027.
“Once complete, these upgrades will mean the scheme is ready for a new era of hydropower,” Duigan said.
