The Gordon Power Station is the largest conventional hydroelectric power station in Tasmania, Australia; located in the South West region of the state. The power station is situated on Gordon River. Water from Lake Gordon descends 183 metres (600 ft) underground past the Gordon Dam and into the power station.

Gordon Dam
Shaft connecting the third turbine to the rotor. The bearing at the top supports the load of the shaft and turbine, the bottom bearing is primarily for alignment.
Gordon Power Station is located in Tasmania
Gordon Power Station
Location of the Gordon Dam in Tasmania
CountryAustralia
LocationSouth West Tasmania
Coordinates42°43′50″S 145°58′35″E / 42.73056°S 145.97639°E / -42.73056; 145.97639
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Construction began1974 (1974)
Opening date1978 (1978)
Owner(s)Hydro Tasmania
Dam and spillways
Type of damArch dam
ImpoundsGordon River
Height140 m (459 ft)
Length198 m (650 ft)
Width (crest)2.75 m (9 ft)
Width (base)17.7 m (58 ft)
Dam volume154×10^3 m3 (5×10^6 cu ft)
Spillway typeControlled
Spillway capacity175 m3/s (6,180 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
CreatesLake Gordon
Total capacity12.4 km3 (3.0 cu mi)
Catchment area1,280 km2 (494 sq mi)
Surface area278 km2 (107 sq mi)
Gordon Power Station
Coordinates42°43′48″S 145°58′12″E / 42.73000°S 145.97000°E / -42.73000; 145.97000
Operator(s)Hydro Tasmania
Commission date1978; 1988
TypeConventional
Turbines3 Fuji x 144 MW (193,107 hp)
Installed capacity432 to 450 MW (579,322 to 603,460 hp)
Capacity factor0.37
Annual generation1,388 GWh (4,997 TJ)
Website
hydro.com.au/energy/our-power-stations/gordon-pedder
[1]

The power station was opened in 1978.[2] In 2024, the station underwent a refurbishment.[2]

Technical data

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The Gordon Power Station system comprises three 144-megawatt (193,000 hp) Francis-type turbines that have a combined generating capacity of 432 megawatts (579,000 hp) of electricity,[3] covering about 13% of the electricity demand of Tasmania.[4] The first two turbines were commissioned in 1978, before the third was commissioned a decade later in 1988.[5]

The power station is fuelled by water from Lake Gordon. Water from Lake Pedder is also drawn into Lake Gordon through the McPartlans Pass Canal.

The station output is fed from each machine by 18 kV aluminium busbars to the surface switchyard then passes through three 18/220 kV power transformers and 220 kV outdoor switchgear to TasNetworks' transmission grid. The switchyard also houses 22 kV apparatus used for power supply to the station and to the local community.[3] The annual output is estimated to be 1,388 gigawatt-hours (5,000 TJ).[1]

2016 Tasmanian energy crisis

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Due to drought, the BassLink power feed failure and Tasmanian energy needs, in early 2016, the water levels in Lake Gordon were at the lowest ever recorded (55 meters below capacity).[6] By January 2017 they had recovered 17 meters to 28 meters below capacity. Four years later, in June 2021, the water level had increased only 3 meters to -25 meters. Between June 2021 and June 2023, the water level decreased 4 metres to 29 meters below capacity.[7]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Register of Large Dams in Australia". Dams information. Australian National Committee on Large Dams. 2010. Archived from the original (Excel (requires download)) on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  2. ^ a b Bowden, Luke (5 August 2024). "Two of the three turbines at Tasmania's Gordon Power Station are undergoing a major refurbishment". ABC News. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Gordon Power Station Fact Sheet: Technical fact sheet" (PDF). Energy: Our power stations. Hydro Tasmania. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  4. ^ "the Gordon – Pedder". Hydro Tasmania. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  5. ^ "Gordron Dam: National Engineering Landmark" (PDF). Engineers Australia. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  6. ^ "Tasmania's key hydroelectric source Lake Gordon at record low". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 March 2016.
  7. ^ "Lake levels".
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