Tarraleah Power Station
| Company type | Hydroelectric power station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | 1938 |
| Headquarters | Tarraleah , Australia |
Area served | Tasmania |
| Products | Electricity generation (hydroelectric) |
| Owner | Hydro Tasmania |
| Website | www |
The Tarraleah Power Station is a hydroelectric facility situated in the Central Highlands, Tasmania, Australia. It operates as a component of the Upper Derwent Hydro Scheme and is managed by Hydro Tasmania.
History
The hydroelectric initiative on the Upper River Derwent commenced in 1934 when the then Hydro-Electric Commission was responsible for just two power stations. That same year, the Derwent Valley Power Development received approval from the Parliament of Tasmania, with Tarraleah becoming the first power station to be completed within this project.
During the 1930s, the married quarters at Tarraleah Camp number 2 earned the nickname Ticklebelly Flat. This name was later adopted by Heather Fenton as the title for her historical account of Hydro Tasmania, Ticklebelly Tales.
Power station
As one of eleven hydroelectric stations within the Derwent scheme, Tarraleah Power Station is positioned above ground on the western bank of the Nive River, near the village of Tarraleah and close to the Lyell Highway. Its water supply is drawn from several sources, including Clark Dam on the River Derwent, which creates Lake King William, as well as from the Butlers Gorge Power Station through the Tarraleah Canals extending roughly .
Commissioned in July 1938, Tarraleah contains six Pelton turbines delivering a combined output capacity of . The generated electricity is conveyed via 11 kV metal-clad switchgear and two 11/110 kV 75 MVA three-phase transformers into the electrical grid.
In March 2023, a significant refurbishment project commenced, initially estimated at $123 million but subsequently expanded to approximately $1 billion, indicating a substantial commitment to upgrading this vital hydropower facility.
Engineering heritage award
The Tarraleah hydroelectric project was recognized with a Historic Engineering Marker by Engineers Australia through its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.