Trevallyn Power Station
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hydroelectric power generation |
| Predecessor | Duck Reach Power Station |
| Founded | 1955 |
| Headquarters | Launceston , Australia |
Area served | Tasmania |
| Products | Electricity |
| Owner | Hydro Tasmania |
| Website | www |
The Trevallyn Power Station is a hydroelectric installation operating on a run-of-the-river principle, situated within Tasmania's northern Midlands area in Australia. It lies within the catchment area of the Great Lake and South Esk River and is owned and managed by Hydro Tasmania.
Technical details
As the concluding facility in the Great Lake and South Esk hydroelectric scheme, Trevallyn Power Station is positioned near the Tamar River just north of Launceston. The station harnesses daily water flow from the South Esk River, with a dam diverting water through a penstock pipeline leading to the power station. Most of this pipeline is buried underground, except for a brief exposed segment close to Pitt Avenue where a valley interrupts. Shortly before reaching the turbines, the main pipeline divides into four smaller conduits. Water enters the penstock tunnel at an elevation above sea level and is released at sea level into the Tamar River via Tailrace Bay at Tie-Tree Bend.
Trevallyn, along with Poatina, are the sole hydroelectric plants located within the South Esk River catchment area. The tunnel was bored through dolerite by a French firm. The Tailrace Bay discharge area was developed using steam-powered machinery and tramway systems; the resulting tailings mounds have been repurposed as Tailrace Park and the Tailrace Convention Centre. This bay also accommodates recreational activities and serves as an anchorage for yachts.
Commissioned in 1955 by Hydro Electric Corporation (TAS), Trevallyn succeeded the Duck Reach Power Station. The facility contains two and two English Electric Francis-type turbines, delivering a combined capacity of . Each turbine is equipped with fully embedded spiral casings and main inlet valves that facilitate maintenance and ensure operational safety. Turbines numbered 1 and 2 are fitted with turbine relief (bypass) valves designed to regulate pressure during rapid closure of guide vanes. The station’s estimated annual generation is , which is transmitted to TasNetworks’ grid through two Alstom and two English Electric three-phase generator transformers.
Water exits the turbines at sea level via an open tailrace channel flowing into the Tamar River.
The former construction settlement known as Marrawaylee, now incorporated into the West Riverside suburb, can be reached via Pomona Road. The power station site along with adjacent transmission line land delineates the boundary between Launceston’s Riverside and Trevallyn suburbs.