Hydro Tasmania to decide on Firmus Technologies' 450 MW power request by year-end

Hydro Tasmania announced that it will reach a decision by the end of the year on Firmus Technologies' application for a 450 MW power contract to supply its AI data centres in Launceston, Long Reach and Wesley Vale. The company already has a three-year agreement for 104 MW at the Launceston site but needs additional capacity for the new facilities, which would represent roughly 30 % of the state’s total electricity use and surpass Bell Bay Aluminium’s current 355 MW consumption.

Hydro said the state’s power system is presently balanced but future variations in renewable output and rainfall could affect supply. To meet the request, new wind and solar generation would have to be built by private developers, with Hydro providing firming services or entering direct agreements. The utility will evaluate Firmus' financial stability, the timing and scale of required renewable projects, and whether the deal aligns with its responsibilities to Tasmanians. Hydro also plans to submit comments to the state inquiry into AI data centres.