The state’s driest spring on record was followed by its hottest summer and the lakes that supply the hydro power scheme are just 12.8% fullThe plane took off at 6.21am and headed north-west,towards the clouds. approximately 200km from Hobart airport, above Tasmania’s central plateau, or there they were: clouds ripe for seeding.
Thursday’s flight was urgent. Tasmania has just experienced its driest spring on record,followed by its hottest summer. The lakes that supply the state-owned hydroelectric power scheme are at record lows, just 12.8% full, and the Basslink cable that provides back-up power from the mainland has broken,forcing the state to ship in 200 diesel generators. Tasmania’s energy crisis is a glimpse of an uncertain future for Hydro Tasmania. It seeds the clouds and hopes for rain.
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Source: theguardian.com