Waddamana B Hydro-Electric Power Station
| Company type | Public utility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric power generation |
| Founded | 1916 |
| Headquarters | Central Highlands, Tasmania , Australia |
| Products | Electricity generation |
Waddamana Hydro-Electric Power Station—initially known as the Great Lake Scheme—holds the distinction of being the first hydro-electric facility managed by the Tasmanian Hydro-Electric Department, commencing operations in 1916.
Waddamana Hydro-Electric Power Station
The private enterprise Tasmanian Hydro-Electric Power and Metallurgical Company (HEPMCo) initiated hydro-electric development in 1909, harnessing Tasmania's highland rivers to support James Hyndes Gillies' patented electrolytic zinc refining process and a calcium carbide smelting operation near Snug. Their project involved constructing a facility on the Ouse River, utilizing water diverted from a dam at Great Lake near Miena through a woodstave pipeline and flume system. Work on this infrastructure began in 1910.
Due to financial difficulties, HEPMCo was unable to complete the project and transferred ownership to the newly established Hydro-Electric Department in 1914. The department finalized construction by 1915 and officially launched the station in 1916 as its inaugural power generation site.
At inception, the plant generated electricity using two turbines rated at 4,900 horsepower (3.65 MW) each; a third turbine was incorporated in 1919. Post-1922, six additional turbines with a capacity of 8,000 horsepower (5.96 MW) each were installed to satisfy growing electricity demand.
Waddamana B
In 1931, plans were made by the Hydro-Electric Commission to build a new facility intended to replace Waddamana A. However, due to budget constraints, this new plant was constructed adjacent to the original between 1939 and 1949. Waddamana B operated concurrently with the initial station until 1965, featuring four turbines that substantially boosted the site's overall generating capacity.
Operation and Decommissioning
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, both Waddamana stations remained operational. In the early 1960s, construction commenced on the larger Poatina Hydroelectric Power Station, which opened in 1964 with a capacity exceeding three times that of Waddamana A, Waddamana B, and Shannon plants combined. Poatina was designed to supplant these older facilities.
To facilitate Poatina's functionality, water supply to Waddamana A and Shannon plants was discontinued, resulting in their closure—Shannon in 1964 and Waddamana A in 1965. While Shannon was demolished, both Waddamana stations were preserved physically. Waddamana B continued generating power until it ceased operation in 1995. Subsequently, Waddamana A was converted into a museum featuring original machinery and exhibits such as the control room switchboard from Shannon.
Engineering Heritage Recognition
Waddamana 'A' is honored as a National Engineering Landmark by Engineers Australia under its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.