Australia’s Basslink interconnector has returned to service, six months after the undersea cable failed.

Australia’s Basslink interconnector has returned to service, six months after the undersea cable failed.

The interconnector, designed to enhance security of supply on both sides of Bass Strait, had been out of service since 20 December 2015, with the cause of the failure still under investigation.

The island state of Tasmania had been experiencing an energy crisis earlier this year due to the failure of Basslink, coupled with low hydro storages, which led to increased use of diesel storages. By May however, the situation had eased, with the state once again completely powered (http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/news/newsrenewables-currently-powering-tasmania-4891089/) by renewables.

Utility Hydro Tasmania welcomed the return to service of Basslink, and said that hydro storages will now build through winter and spring with the focus on Lake Gordon, Great Lake and Lake Echo as other storages are currently well above target levels. Overall storages are currently at 27.1 per cent.

"The remainder of the storages are very full, many are spilling, which means these power stations need to run around the clock to create room to capture more winter rain," commented CEO Steve Davy.

"With all of these generators running and up to 300 MW of wind generation available there is more than enough energy to meet all Tasmanian demand.

"This surplus of energy will exist for at least the next week without any more rain. As a result, Basslink will be used to export to the rest of the National Electricity Market.

"Although this may seem a little strange as only two months ago diesel generators were running, it is consistent with the overall build strategy and the best way to avoid wasting our precious water resources."