Waddamana Hydro-Electric Power Station
| Company type | Power station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | 1916 |
| Headquarters | Central Highlands, Tasmania , Australia |
| Products | Electricity generation (hydroelectric) |
Waddamana Hydro-Electric Power Station—initially known as the Great Lake Scheme—holds the distinction of being the inaugural hydro-electric power facility managed by the Tasmanian Hydro-Electric Department, commencing operations in 1916.
Waddamana Hydro-Electric Power Station
The development of hydro-electric power exploiting Tasmania's highland waterways was initiated in 1909 by the private enterprise Tasmanian Hydro-Electric Power and Metallurgical Co. (HEPMCo). Their objective was to provide electricity for James Hyndes Gillies' patented electrolytic zinc refining technique alongside a carbide smelting operation near Snug. The project envisioned a station on the Ouse River, utilizing water sourced from a dam on Great Lake at Miena, conveyed via a wooden stave pipeline and flume. Construction activities began in 1910.
HEPMCo encountered financial difficulties before completing the project, resulting in its sale to the newly established Hydro-Electric Department in 1914. The Department finalized construction by 1915, officially commissioning the station as their first functional plant in 1916.
At inception, the facility delivered 7 MW through two turbines rated at 4,900 HP (3.65 MW) each; a third turbine was incorporated in 1919. Following 1922, six turbines each producing 8,000 HP (5.96 MW) were installed to satisfy increasing electricity demand.
Waddamana B
In 1931, plans were made by the Hydro-Electric Commission for a replacement facility to succeed Waddamana A; however, due to financial limitations, it was constructed adjacent to the existing plant instead. Built over a decade from 1939 to 1949, Waddamana B operated concurrently with Waddamana A until 1965 and generated a total output of 48 MW across four turbines.
Operation and decommissioning
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, both Waddamana stations remained active. In the early 1960s, construction commenced on the larger Poatina Hydroelectric Power Station designed to supersede Waddamana A, Waddamana B, and the nearby Shannon plant. Poatina began operation in 1964 with a capacity exceeding three times the combined output of its predecessors.
To facilitate Poatina’s function, water supply to Waddamana A and Shannon was discontinued, leading to their shutdown (Shannon in 1964 and Waddamana A in 1965). While Shannon was dismantled, both Waddamana stations remained intact. Waddamana B continued generating power until it ceased operation in 1995. Since then, Waddamana A has been transformed into a museum preserving original machinery, including the Control room switchboard relocated from Shannon.
Engineering heritage award
Waddamana 'A' station has been acknowledged as a National Engineering Landmark by Engineers Australia through its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.