These open cycle units were installed at a site adjacent to the original Bell Bay Power Station. Basslink The Basslink electricity interconnector, which linked the electricity grids of mainland Australia and Tasmania from April 2006, secured Tasmania from reliance on hydro-electric based generation in the event of drought. Ownership Bell Bay Power Station was owned by Hydro Tasmania via wholly owned subsidiary companies. In March 2007, Western Australian power company Alinta agreed to buy the peaking plant site from Hydro Tasmania (i.e. the Tasmanian Government) for about $75 million, which included gas pipeline capacity agreements. This would complement their (then) proposed 200 MW combined cycle Tamar Valley Power Station, which was due for completion in early 2009, and which was to be located somewhere in the Bell Bay precinct. Aurora Energy acquired the ex Alinta Energy combined cycle power station project and the peaking plant from the then new owner, Babcock and Brown Power in September 2008. The Tasmanian Government included a possible transfer of the existing Bell Bay Power Station to Aurora Energy as part of the acquisition. The transfer of the existing two thermal units did not proceed. Hydro Tasmania remains the owner and the station is currently available for sale whole or as parts. See also Hydro Tasmania Tamar Valley Power Station References External links Hydro Tasmania page on Bell Bay Energy infrastructure completed in 1971 Natural gas-fired power stations in Tasmania Tamar River