ENERGY Minister Matthew Groom has called for “sensible and prudent” energy use as the state’s dam levels continue to drop.
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Hydro storage levels are this week sitting at 13.9 per cent full, down from 14.6.
Mr Groom said on Tuesday that despite positive news on Basslink’s repair, the government was still planning for the worst.
He said Basslink’s repair process going forward was “clearly understood” and removed uncertainty.
“It puts to bed the speculation that was circulating about the cable being fried or there being multiple faults,” Mr Groom said.
But he said all Tasmanians could help with the process of rebuilding water storage levels.
“As we work through this very difficult energy situation it is important people are prudent and sensible with their energy use,” he said.
“Everyone can play their part in helping us manage our way through this situation.”
Hydro Tasmania is continuing to roll out diesel generators, and the George Town and Meadowbank sites will be generating power by the end of the week.
Mr Groom said a further 100 megawatts would be operational in April and the Trent unit from the Tamar Valley Power Station could be running over the weekend.
He said the government was still planning for the worst, which included minimal rain and an extended Basslink outage.
“It is important that we continue to plan and roll out contingencies,” he said.
The “bottom out” figure for dam levels was initially tipped to be 13.6 per cent.
“I’ve asked Hydro Tasmania to revise their projections and we will make those public as soon as possible,” Mr Groom said.
“Some weeks it rains more, some weeks it rains less, sometimes it doesnt rain at all, and the energy supply plan deals with all those circumstances.”
Greens energy spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff called on the government to be clearer with Tasmanians about power saving measures in the lead up to winter.
“The minister needs to talk to Tasmanians today about energy efficiency in their houses,” Dr Woodruff said.
“There are simple, low cost solutions like sealing up houses, and turning down hot-water cylinder and heater thermostats, that will help use less power and save money,” she said.
Labor finance spokesman Scott Bacon said the government must reveal how low dam levels were expected to go.
“With Basslink expected to be down until at least the middle of June, the government must explain exactly how low dam levels are expected to go,” Mr Bacon said.
“Over the past week we have seen alarming vision and pictures of the state of our most crucial dams and lakes, including Gordon,” he said.
Hydro will begin cloud seeding on Friday.