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.
Location of the Gordon Dam in Tasmania
Country	Australia
Location	South West Tasmania
Coordinates	42°43′50″S 145°58′35″E
Purpose	Power
Status	Operational
Construction began	1974 (1974)
Opening date	1978 (1978)
Owner(s)	Hydro Tasmania
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Arch dam
Impounds	Gordon River
Height	140 m (459 ft)
Length	198 m (650 ft)
Width (crest)	2.75 m (9 ft)
Width (base)	17.7 m (58 ft)
Dam volume	154×10^3 m3 (5×10^6 cu ft)
Spillway type	Controlled
Spillway capacity	175 m3/s (6,180 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Creates	Lake Gordon
Total capacity	12.4 km3 (3.0 cu mi)
Catchment area	1,280 km2 (494 sq mi)
Surface area	278 km2 (107 sq mi)
Gordon Power Station
Coordinates	42°43′48″S 145°58′12″E
Operator(s)	Hydro Tasmania
Commission date	1978; 1988
Type	Conventional
Turbines	3 Fuji x 144 MW (193,107 hp)
Installed capacity	432 to 450 MW (579,322 to 603,460 hp)
Capacity factor	0.37
Annual generation	1,388 GWh (4,997 TJ)
Website hydro.com.au/energy/our-power-stations/gordon-pedder
[1]

Technical data

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,[2] covering about 13% of the electricity demand of Tasmania.[3] The first two turbines were commissioned in 1978, before the third was commissioned a decade later in 1988.[4]

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.[2] The annual output is estimated to be 1,388 gigawatt-hours (5,000 TJ).[1]

2016 Tasmanian energy crisis

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 from capacity).[5] 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.[6]

Gallery

• 
  Main shut off rotary ball valve for second turbine.
• 
  Slip Rings for second turbine.

See also

• List of power stations in Tasmania

References

External links

• Hydro Tasmania page on the Gordon – Pedder