Tasmanian Energy Minister Robin Gray has said that draining Lake Pedder was simply not an option on any grounds. "The fact is the cost in present day terms of constructing the Lake Pedder dams, (Edgar Dam, Scotts Peak Dam and Serpentine Dam) and the McPartlan Pass Canal is about $150 million. "The value of the schemes from the point of view of the contribution they make is far greater than this. "I cannot understand why anyone would want to demolish such valuable assets.
"Conservationists must be aware that Lake Pedder is a crucial storage for the Tasmanian hydro-electric system and a vital component of our energy system, despite the current surplus capacity.
"Lake Pedder provides about 40 percent of the average flow to Tasmania's biggest power station, the Gordon Power Station, which in turn provides about 13 percent of the State's total power supply. The lake is a source of stored energy that Tasmania cannot afford to lose. "
Although Tasmania has almost 30 power stations, the bulk of the long term storage capacity is held in just three lakes, Pedder, Gordon and Great Lake. "These three are vital to the efficient running of the system and especially so in summer and other periods of low rainfall when the run of river stations do not meet the full demand. The recent below average rainfall has meant storages have fallen from about 53 percent to below 45 percent in the last two months, a drop of around nine percent.
Without the storage in Lake Pedder the situation would be worse and the State would be that much closer to having to run Bell Bay Power Station at vast cost, with the possibility of tariff increases to meet that extra cost. "The present surplus capacity provides the State with two advantages. "Firstly, it allows the storages to increase, improving the State's energy savings in the bank, and reduces the likelihood of needing thermal back up. Secondly, it puts the State in an excellent position to attract new industries because it is shown that we have the power to sell.
"There is no realistic prospect of this or any other Government seriously contemplating draining the present Lake Pedder," Mr Gray said.