Reinvigorating our western powerhouse

Tasmania’s western wilds are synonymous with rugged landscapes, dramatic weather, and a pioneering spirit. Amongst other things, these characteristics make Tasmania’s west coast the perfect place to generate renewable energy through hydropower.

This potential was seen early on and in 1914, Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Company built Lake Margaret Power Station to power its mines. A century later, and we’re preparing to embark on an ambitious program of works to reinvigorate power stations in our west coast hydropower schemes, securing their role in Australia’s energy transformation.

Our western powerhouse comprises three hydropower schemes: Anthony-Pieman, King and Yolande. These schemes play an important role in Tasmania’s energy security, contributing approximately 25% of our total generation capacity. In this upcoming program of works, we’ll be focusing on reinvigorating 3 powers stations in the Anthony-Pieman scheme. Completed in 1994, this scheme harnesses the power of the Pieman and Anthony rivers and Mackintosh and Murchison lakes. The three stations we will be refurbishing are:

  • Mackintosh - located at the base of Lake Mackintosh, this station was commissioned in 1982 and has one Francis turbine with a generating capacity of 89MW.
  • Bastyan - located below Lake Rosebery, this station was commissioned in 1983 and has one Francis turbine with a generating capacity of 81MW.
  • Reece - the last power station in the scheme, sitting below Lake Pieman and south west of Corinna. This station was completed in 1987 and has two Francis turbines with a combined generating capacity of 244MW.

The three stations we will be refurbishing all use the Francis turbine. It is the most efficient and commonly used turbine type.



SUBSCRIBE NOW to make sure you don't miss any important project updates.



What are we doing and why?

The turbines within the Anthony-Pieman scheme are ageing - this program of works will reinvigorate these machines to improve operational flexibility and maximise future generation capacity.

At each station, we'll complete a range of tasks including:

  • replace turbine components
  • refurbish governor systems that control turbine speed and power output
  • refurbish intake gates where the water from the dam enters the penstocks (pipes) to flow to the power station
  • install new systems to modernise how we control and monitor turbines
  • replace turbine power supplies.

The design and supply of new components has already commenced and we expect work to start in October 2025 at Mackintosh. Take a look our program schedule for more information about when work on each station is expected to start.


Hydro Tasmania staff member sits below Francis turbine at Mackintosh Power Station.


This is a large program of work and we’re anticipating it will bring exciting opportunities and perhaps the occasional challenge. We’ve already started working with project stakeholders such as the West Coast Council and recently started our broader community engagement with three information sessions.


What's your role?

As with any major project, we'd like you, as a local resident or interested party, to understand what we're doing and why. We started our conversation with the local community in September 2022 with 3 information sessions in Queenstown, Tullah and Rosebery.

With input from you, we'd also like to maximise opportunities and minimise impacts. From engaging with us in a discussion around housing or proposing ideas on delivering lasting community benefits, our goal is to work with you to get the best outcomes possible.

If you have any questions or comments about the project, please post them below. Alternatively, you can also get in touch with one of the team.

We'd encourage everyone to subscribe so you don't miss an important project update!


Tasmania’s western wilds are synonymous with rugged landscapes, dramatic weather, and a pioneering spirit. Amongst other things, these characteristics make Tasmania’s west coast the perfect place to generate renewable energy through hydropower.

This potential was seen early on and in 1914, Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Company built Lake Margaret Power Station to power its mines. A century later, and we’re preparing to embark on an ambitious program of works to reinvigorate power stations in our west coast hydropower schemes, securing their role in Australia’s energy transformation.

Our western powerhouse comprises three hydropower schemes: Anthony-Pieman, King and Yolande. These schemes play an important role in Tasmania’s energy security, contributing approximately 25% of our total generation capacity. In this upcoming program of works, we’ll be focusing on reinvigorating 3 powers stations in the Anthony-Pieman scheme. Completed in 1994, this scheme harnesses the power of the Pieman and Anthony rivers and Mackintosh and Murchison lakes. The three stations we will be refurbishing are:

  • Mackintosh - located at the base of Lake Mackintosh, this station was commissioned in 1982 and has one Francis turbine with a generating capacity of 89MW.
  • Bastyan - located below Lake Rosebery, this station was commissioned in 1983 and has one Francis turbine with a generating capacity of 81MW.
  • Reece - the last power station in the scheme, sitting below Lake Pieman and south west of Corinna. This station was completed in 1987 and has two Francis turbines with a combined generating capacity of 244MW.

The three stations we will be refurbishing all use the Francis turbine. It is the most efficient and commonly used turbine type.



SUBSCRIBE NOW to make sure you don't miss any important project updates.



What are we doing and why?

The turbines within the Anthony-Pieman scheme are ageing - this program of works will reinvigorate these machines to improve operational flexibility and maximise future generation capacity.

At each station, we'll complete a range of tasks including:

  • replace turbine components
  • refurbish governor systems that control turbine speed and power output
  • refurbish intake gates where the water from the dam enters the penstocks (pipes) to flow to the power station
  • install new systems to modernise how we control and monitor turbines
  • replace turbine power supplies.

The design and supply of new components has already commenced and we expect work to start in October 2025 at Mackintosh. Take a look our program schedule for more information about when work on each station is expected to start.


Hydro Tasmania staff member sits below Francis turbine at Mackintosh Power Station.


This is a large program of work and we’re anticipating it will bring exciting opportunities and perhaps the occasional challenge. We’ve already started working with project stakeholders such as the West Coast Council and recently started our broader community engagement with three information sessions.


What's your role?

As with any major project, we'd like you, as a local resident or interested party, to understand what we're doing and why. We started our conversation with the local community in September 2022 with 3 information sessions in Queenstown, Tullah and Rosebery.

With input from you, we'd also like to maximise opportunities and minimise impacts. From engaging with us in a discussion around housing or proposing ideas on delivering lasting community benefits, our goal is to work with you to get the best outcomes possible.

If you have any questions or comments about the project, please post them below. Alternatively, you can also get in touch with one of the team.

We'd encourage everyone to subscribe so you don't miss an important project update!


Looking for more information on this project?

loader image
Forgot password?
Didn't receive confirmation?
Seems like you are already registered, please provide the password. Forgot your password? Create a new one now.