News

SNOWY 2.0 UPDATE

18/07/2024

The Snowy Delivery team has completed 570,000 cubic metres of excavation of the Talbingo intake. The intake is where water will exit and enter the tailrace tunnel, connecting the lower Talbingo reservoir to the underground power station
Excavation of the Marica surge shaft has reached 95 metres. Mechanical excavation including rock breakers and excavators continues, with drill and blast methods also being used. Once complete, the 28 metre-wide and 250 metre-deep surge shaft will be used for water storage and pressure relief when the power station starts up, and to absorb the momentum. The Marica surge shaft will be one of the largest shafts of its type in the world
Excavation of the gate shaft at Tantangara is complete, with drill and blast work to excavate the transition tunnels linking it and the intake well advanced. The gate shaft is used to stop and start the flow of water into the headrace tunnel and power station for maintenance purposes or in the case of an emergency

Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs)

Florence

Florence is the TBM excavating the 16 kilometre headrace tunnel, which will connect the underground power station to the upper Tantangara reservoir

Following a seven-week operation to use ultra high pressure water jetting to remove very hard rock preventing the TBM from progressing, TBM Florence restarted excavation on Thursday 11 July

The Snowy delivery team expects highly variable ground conditions to continue ahead of TBM Florence, which will mean progress will continue to vary, particularly as the TBM navigates the curve leading to the main tunnel alignment

Lady Eileen Hudson

TBM Lady Eileen Hudson, which has completed the 2.8 kilometre main access tunnel to the power station, is now excavating the 6 kilometre tailrace tunnel, which will connect the underground power station to the lower Talbingo reservoir

The machine is progressing well and is approximately 3.0 kilometres into the tailrace tunnel

A conveyor belt extension and service modifications have recently been carried out so excavations to join the tailrace tunnel with the Talbingo intake excavation can commence

Kirsten

Kirsten is the TBM excavating the 1.6km Inclined Pressure Shaft (IPS – connecting the underground power station to the headrace tunnel that leads to the upper Tantangara reservoir), having already completed the 2.9km emergency, cable and ventilation tunnel

TBM Kirsten has installed 14 trial tunnel lining rings in the IPS using locally manufactured concrete segments specifically designed for the high water pressures that will be experienced in the IPS

Tunnelling of the IPS will be a pioneering engineering challenge, with the shaft’s incline reaching a steep 47 percent

News

SNOWY HYDRO SIGNS LOCHARD GAS STORAGE AGREEMENT

15/07/2024

Snowy Hydro has entered into a 25-year gas storage agreement with Lochard Energy at the Iona underground gas storage facility to support Snowy Hydro’s gas fired generation fleet.

Australia’s energy market continues to experience significant change with the uptake of renewables and the progressive closure of coal fired assets. Snowy Hydro helps manage intermittency in the National Electricity Market (NEM) through its portfolio of power stations including the Snowy Scheme.

The long-term Lochard storage deal will allow Snowy Hydro to utilise stored gas when required to operate its gas fired power stations.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said reliability and security of supply is central to the way Snowy Hydro operates, maintains and develops its nationally critical infrastructure.

“Snowy Hydro’s generating portfolio of hydro, pumping and gas fired power stations continues to support further deployment of renewables into the grid by “firming” intermittent generation sources into reliable power. The gas storage agreement with Lochard Energy will support the operation of our gas-fired power stations in Victoria.”

Lochard CEO Tim Jessen said Lochard welcomes the opportunity to strengthen its relationship with Snowy Hydro through the signing of the new Gas Storage Services Agreement.

“This important agreement will underpin Lochard’s Heytesbury Underground Gas Storage project through which we will further expand the Iona Gas Storage Facility to continue to provide critical energy storage services in Victoria.”

Gas storage is essential to ensure the supply of gas to meet peak electricity demand in seasonal markets, to supply gas to peak power generators including Snowy Hydro, and to ensure security of supply in the event of supply disruption.

Snowy Hydro owns and operates three gas-fired power stations, strategically located in the LaTrobe Valley and Laverton in Victoria, and at Colongra, NSW. With a current total generating capacity of 1,290 MW. Snowy Hydro is also constructing a 660MW gas fired power station at Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley.

The Lochard Energy gas storage agreement will commence in January 2028.

News

SNOWY HYDRO GOES NATIONAL WITH POWERING UP THE FUTURE COMPETITION

08/07/2024

Snowy Hydro’s annual science competition is going Australia-wide! For the first time, children across the nation can power up the future with their renewable energy ideas for the chance to win prizes valued up to $3,000.

The inaugural Powering up the Future Competition will continue Snowy Hydro’s commitment to fostering learning opportunities through the successful Snowy STEM Academy and its focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Powering up the Future Competition asks students throughout Australia to be a Snowy Hydro ‘futurist’ and present a creative, innovative idea or invention that offers a solution to reduce emissions in a renewable world. The competition is open now and closes at midnight on Sunday 11 August 2024.

With a growing opportunity and demand for emerging careers, Snowy Hydro Group Executive Safety, People, Community and Services Gabrielle Curtin, said it was important to engage the workforce of tomorrow in STEM from a young age.

“Today’s children need to be prepared for the future. This competition is a great way to inspire young people to take a deep dive into innovative ideas and develop problem-solving skills that will transform the energy industry for generations to come,” Gabrielle said.

“It will help students learn more about renewables and energy emissions and hopefully spark their curiosity in STEM pathways.”

The Powering up the Future Competition calls on students in years 3 to 12 to investigate what a renewable energy future might look like and provide a solution for reducing energy emissions.

There are some fantastic prizes to be won, including overnight experiences at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, exploring Taronga’s Institute of Science and Learning immersive classrooms, STEM subscriptions and gift cards.

Entries for the Powering up the Future competition must be submitted on the official competition webpage. There are two age categories: Junior (aged 8 to 12 years old) and Senior (aged 13 to 18 years old).

An independent panel of esteemed and diverse community representatives will determine Judge’s Choice winners. In addition, members of the public will be able to vote online for their favourite entry for the Community Choice in each age category.

The winning entries will be displayed on the Snowy Hydro website and showcased at the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma.

For more details about the Powering up the Future Competition, including full terms and conditions, visit https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/powering-up-the-future-competition/ or email the Snowy Hydro education team at snowystemacademy@snowyhydro.com.au

News

2024 WINTER SNOW DEPTH MEASURING ACTIVITIES

02/07/2024

Snowy Hydro’s snow depth measurements in the NSW Snowy Mountains have commenced for 2024, with some changes and improvements to data collection and public reporting.

The first reading for 2024 was conducted on 14 June. Manual readings at Spencers Creek will occur weekly to fortnightly this winter, with a greater focus on the second half of the season when snow depths are peaking and as the spring snowmelt increases. Manual readings at Deep Creek and Three Mile Dam will be carried out on an as-needs basis and supplemented by automated instrumentation.

Following a rigorous process review and impact analysis, Snowy Hydro is investing in new instrumentation across the Snowy Scheme and can now provide more frequent snow depth readings at a site close to the Spencers Creek snow course. This near real-time snow depth information is available HERE, noting that as an experimental site, there may be gaps in the provision of data at times.

The new equipment can measure snow depths accurately up to 3 metres. We expect information from the site to improve the resolution of our overall data collection.

Snowy Hydro is committed to remaining flexible and exploring new technology to maximise the value of Spencers Creek, which is regarded as Australia’s premier long-term snow record.

We recognise its significance to scientists and the wider community as an index of environmental variability and change. Indeed, having an understanding of the alpine and subalpine environment is essential to our business operations.

Safety and operational considerations will remain our highest priority when conducting snow depth measurements. By being more flexible with how we collect data in remote locations, including the regularity and frequency of obtaining snow depth readings, we reduce the need to send staff to remote locations in poor weather conditions. This agility allows us to schedule this work to occur when conditions are safest while also maintaining quality records.

News

SNOWY 2.0 AND TBM FLORENCE UPDATE – JUNE 2024

01/07/2024

At Tantangara in the NSW Snowy Mountains, we’re building critical infrastructure for Snowy 2.0, the major pumped-hydro expansion of the Snowy Scheme.

In the headrace tunnel, specialist contractors are continuing to conduct hydro blasting work to remove rock pinching on the shield of tunnel boring machine (TBM) Florence.

The Snowy 2.0 team stopped TBM Florence in May when extremely hard and abrasive rock conditions wore down cutter disks on the edge of the cutterhead very quickly as it traversed a curve in the tunnel.

In recent weeks we have moved TBM Florence forward in small increments several times and the machine remains fully operational.

The high pressure hydro blasting breaks up and disintegrates the surrounding rock so TBM Florence can navigate the curve onto the straight headrace tunnel alignment.

In the June project update, Snowy 2.0 tunnel engineer Nick Chapman, who oversees tunnel design and provides technical engineering support for construction activities, highlights progress at the Tantangara Reservoir intake and gate shaft, along with underground works to connect the two.

The gate shaft is one of the key structures in the overall Tantangara intake system, which also includes the intake diffuser, tunnel transitions and headrace tunnel.

The main function of the gate shaft is to stop and start the flow of water into the headrace tunnel and power station for maintenance purposes or in the case of an emergency.

Now the gate shaft is excavated, work is focused on the two transition tunnels either side.

These tunnels are well advanced, with the full length of the top heading complete and excavation to the invert on schedule for completion in July.

The intake is now approximately 45 metres deep – the remaining excavation is being coordinated with work on the third transition tunnel.

The next stage of the intake earthworks will involve the removal of the temporary “rock plug” and excavation into Tantangara reservoir, to allow water to flow through the intake and into the headrace tunnel.

That’s something to look forward to in future updates!

News

TBM FLORENCE UPDATE – 12 JUNE

12/06/2024

High pressure water jetting continues to be used to remove rock impinging on the shield of Snowy 2.0 tunnel boring machine (TBM) Florence at Tantangara.

The TBM was halted by the project team in extremely hard and abrasive rock conditions on 16 May, with specialist contractors commencing on 21 May.

The high pressure water jetting technique to remove the rock is ongoing and working well.

We expect highly variable ground conditions to continue ahead of TBM Florence in the headrace tunnel.

Water jetting device mounted on the TBM cutterhead, with the machine’s shield on the left of the image and the rock on the right. The device directs a high-pressure water stream at the rock, causing the rock to break apart and disintegrate.

News

CLOUD SEEDING UPDATE

07/06/2024

Since 2004, Snowy Hydro has been conducting a successful cloud seeding program to enhance snowfall over the Snowy Mountains during suitable conditions in the cold months, increasing the amount of water available when the snow melts in spring to produce clean, renewable energy. Our cloud seeding program is backed by extensive scientific research, independent review and stringent environmental regulation.

This winter, Snowy Hydro is pausing cloud seeding operations as we undertake a program review.

Our cloud seeding infrastructure is approaching end of life and requires upgrading or replacement. Meanwhile, the cost of resourcing the program and meeting regulatory obligations is increasing.

During the break in operations in 2024 we will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the program, its ongoing return on investment and the resourcing requirements for cloud seeding to continue.

We will provide another update prior to winter 2025.

Cloud Seeding at Snowy Hydro:

• Snowy Hydro’s cloud seeding program began as a scientific trial in 2004 and following the success of the trial, moved to an operational program in 2013. Our cloud seeding operations are authorised by the Snowy Mountains Cloud Seeding Act 2004 (NSW) and are carried out in accordance with an Environmental Management Plan approved by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

• Snowy Hydro is authorised to conduct cloud seeding to enhance snowfall, not rain, over a 2,110 km2 target area in the Snowy Mountains. There is no evidence of an effect from cloud seeding on precipitation outside of the target area.

• Cloud seeding in the Snowy Mountains only occurs during the cold months when snow is likely to fall to elevations of at least 1,400 metres.

• Only weather systems that meet specific criteria are targeted for cloud seeding – typically cold fronts that bring blizzard-like conditions to the alpine areas.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE CLOUD SEEDING PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE

News

SNOWY HYDRO COMMEMORATES 75 YEARS OF THE SNOWY SCHEME

06/06/2024

In 2024, Snowy Hydro will proudly celebrate 75 years of the iconic Snowy Scheme with a series of community-focused initiatives. Snowy Hydro will host several events and support grassroots, community-led projects through a special 75th Anniversary Community Grants Fund, honouring our decades of commitment to the Snowy Mountains community.

To honour the former workforce who constructed the Snowy Scheme, along with their families, Snowy Hydro will host a reunion event in Cooma on Saturday, 19 October. The Tumut 3 Power Station Community Open Day is also confirmed for early November in Talbingo.

While celebrating our 75-year milestone, Snowy Hydro is also committed to supporting local, emerging leaders who will continue the legacy of the Snowy Scheme into the future. As part of this commitment, the company will launch a university scholarship program to commence in 2025, with details to be announced in August.

The 75th Anniversary Community Grants Fund offers grants of up to $5,000 for local community groups. This targeted funding aims to empower local community groups to celebrate the proud history of the Snowy Scheme in ways that are most meaningful to them.

The first construction blast of the Snowy Scheme took place in Adaminaby on 17 October 1949, 75 years ago. With a strong tradition of celebrating milestones and honouring the legacy of the Snowy Scheme, Snowy Hydro recognises that these celebrations are deeply shared with the communities across the Snowy Mountains, many of which were established during the construction era.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the company was committed to acknowledging this significant milestone with meaningful, community-led initiatives reflecting the legacy of the Snowy Scheme.

“We understand the community’s expectations for the 75th anniversary to be marked appropriately, especially among those with family members who worked on the Snowy Scheme construction. We believe that community-led celebrations and projects will resonate, particularly with those who appreciate the huge contribution the Scheme has made and continues to make to Australia,” Dennis said.

Successful applications for the 75th Anniversary Community Grants Fund must clearly demonstrate a connection to the history and legacy of the Snowy Scheme, with innovative and creative ideas strongly encouraged.

Initiatives should show how they will engage and benefit the local community and recognise the former workforce. Additionally, applications must provide a clear plan for execution, including timelines with a detailed budget outlining the use of the grant funds.

Through these initiatives, Snowy Hydro hopes to foster a deeper connection to our shared heritage and to highlight the historical significance and lasting impact of the Snowy Scheme.

By supporting these community-led endeavours, Snowy Hydro hopes the memories and stories of the Snowy Scheme continue to be celebrated and remembered for generations to come.

For more information about the 75th Anniversary Community Grants Fund, how to apply and the assessment criteria, please visit our website at www.snowyhydro.com.au/75years or contact community@snowyhydro.com.au

News

SNOWY HYDRO BOOSTS STEM EDUCATION IN 27 LOCAL SCHOOLS

04/06/2024

In 2024, thousands of students across 27 schools will benefit from Snowy Hydro’s Local School STEM Fund program. In its second year, the targeted funding is providing a substantial $220,265.83 across 18 locations in the Snowy Mountains and Cessnock regions of New South Wales.

As part of Snowy Hydro’s ongoing commitment to education, we are supporting a diverse range of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) initiatives in local schools.

Successful funding applications in 2024 include STEM-focused projects such as micro-bit and Smart City Kits, coding kits, a Solar Buddies program, plastics recycling initiatives, STEM excursions, VEX robotics clubs, equipment for race car design, STEM camps and excellence programs.

This year, responding to the resounding success of the 2023 program, Snowy Hydro is extending its STEM funding support to include schools in the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA) near where our Hunter Power Project is located.

With this expansion, we now provide opportunities to schools within Towong, Snowy Valleys, Snowy Monaro, and Cessnock LGAs. This broader reach recognises Snowy Hydro’s commitment to fostering a strong STEM education environment, which is essential for preparing students for future careers in technology, engineering, and renewable energy.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the Local School STEM Fund provides opportunities for students to engage in real-world problem-solving that may otherwise not be possible in regional schools.

“We know the more opportunities we can provide for students to experience the hands-on application and diversity of STEM, the more they will appreciate the value of studying the relevant subjects,” Dennis said. “We want to encourage young people to pursue rewarding and fulfilling STEM careers.”

While only in its second year, the Local School STEM Fund has already encouraged collaboration among eligible schools, expanded individual initiatives, and developed local competitions. Snowy Hydro looks forward to fostering further growth and engagement in STEM-related fields, ensuring students have the skills and experiences necessary for their future success.

The next round of the Local School STEM Fund will open in early 2025.

For more information about Snowy Hydro’s Local School STEM Fund, visit https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/local-school-stem-fund/

Click here to read the Snowy Hydro’s Local School STEM Fund 2024 report.

News

SNOWY HYDRO INJECTS $200K INTO LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS

03/06/2024

Snowy Hydro is proud to announce that 30 local community groups will benefit from $204,000 in funding for Round 1 of Snowy Hydro’s 2024 Community Grants Program. This round attracted a record number of applications, with 89 submissions, highlighting the demand for funding within the local community.

The successful applications highlight the diversity of the Snowy Mountains region and the range of great initiatives and ideas generated by local community groups.

These include local events that foster community spirit, race meets to support local community fundraising, equipment for health services and respite housing that enhances well-being, tourism signage to boost the local economy, tree-planting activities that preserve our environment, and solar installations that promote sustainable development.

All these projects align with Snowy Hydro’s four community commitment pillars: education and development, health and wellbeing, regional capacity building, and the environment.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes emphasised the importance of the Community Grants Program in supporting local initiatives.

“The Snowy Hydro Community Grants Program is essential to our commitment to fostering vibrant, resilient communities,” Dennis said.

“By funding these projects, we are helping to build stronger local connections, enhance community health and wellbeing, and promote sustainable development across the region. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact these grants have on our community.”

The next round of the Community Grants Program will open in September 2024. Snowy Hydro invites all local community groups to apply and share their innovative ideas.

Community groups interested in applying can find more information and application details on our website www.snowyhydro.com.au/communitygrantsprogram

Click here to read the Community Grants 2024 – Round 1 report.

News

TBM FLORENCE UPDATE – 30 MAY

30/05/2024

The use of high pressure water jets to remove rock impinging on the shield of tunnel boring machine (TBM) Florence at Tantangara is continuing.

This technique, conducted by specialist contractors since 21 May, is working well, with a device mounted on the cutterhead directing a high-pressure water stream at the rock, which breaks apart and disintegrates.

We halted TBM Florence’s excavation of the Snowy 2.0 headrace tunnel in extremely hard and abrasive rock conditions on 16 May. Cutter disks on the edge of the cutterhead wore down very quickly and this, coupled with a curve in the tunnel, caused rock to pinch on the TBM’s shield.

We made the decision to stop tunnelling to ensure we did not damage TBM Florence.

The Snowy 2.0 project teams are monitoring progress of the rock removal so we can restart excavation.

We expect variable ground conditions to continue ahead of TBM Florence in the headrace tunnel, which will connect Tantangara Reservoir with the 2,200 megawatt Snowy 2.0 power station.

News

SNOWY 2.0 PROJECT UPDATE – MAY 2024

28/05/2024

In this month’s update, discover what it takes to support a huge construction operation like Snowy 2.0, as we build a 2,200 megawatt pumped hydro power station, more than 27 kilometres of waterway tunnels and other infrastructure.

While drill and blast activities, rock bolting and shotcreting continue underground, excavators work on the intakes and specialist crews operate the tunnel boring machines (TBMs), there are hundreds of people providing critically important support services.

Andrea Musacchio, Services Assurance Manager for Snowy 2.0, takes a look at what goes on behind the scenes of Snowy 2.0.

A major project component is managing truck and light vehicle logistics.

This includes thousands of road safety inspections annually, more than 260 bus trips taking workers to and from site each week and about 780 heavy vehicle movements, such as the distinctive segment trucks carrying locally manufactured tunnel lining segments for the TBMs.

The security team work at the gatehouse controlling site access and scan more than 6,000 people and 3,000 vehicles each week.

There are 20 heavy vehicle convoys a day at Lobs Hole, all managed by traffic controllers.

So far there have been more than 130 escorted loads of very large components delivered to site, some more than 7 metres wide. Few see these loads because they’re completed at night to minimise impact on the local communities and other road users.

The Snowy 2.0 General Services team of 190 people provide support functions that are vital to the day-to-day running of the project.

With a workforce of 3,000 people, many of whom are based onsite, the cleaners are kept busy with almost 2,000 room cleans a week.

And it’s not surprising that there’s 75 caterers – they’re cooking more than 36,000 meals a week. That’s 17,000 eggs, 900 kilos of bacon and 2 and a quarter tonnes of sliced watermelon, just for starters.

The General Services crew conduct repairs and preventative maintenance around the camp facilities and also provide a site bus service that completes around 1,500 trips a week.

Trainers and fitness instructors help organise sporting competitions and oversee thousands of gym visits every month, while the community team provides workforce engagement and communication. There are also hundreds of people in offices managing administration, invoicing and documentation, and organising meetings, rosters and site visits.