SNOWY 2.0 PROJECT UPDATE

28/03/2025

Work on Australia’s largest renewable energy project, Snowy 2.0, continues with good progress across multiple work fronts, despite recent work stoppages.

Across Snowy 2.0, recent progress of note includes:

POWER STATION CAVERNS

Development of the Snowy 2.0 power station complex is progressing well, with excavation and installation of rock support within the caverns more than 35% complete.
The transformer hall is now almost 50% excavated by volume and the machine hall is now 28 metres deep.
The drill and blast tunnels providing access to various levels within the caverns, and other parts of the power station complex are more than 93% complete.
Excavation of the 266 metre-long collector waterway tunnels, which will pass water from the power station to the tailrace tunnel and onto Talbingo reservoir, is 80% complete.

UPPER RESERVOIR INTAKE

A 40-metre high tower crane is assisting with construction logistics in the Tantangara intake pit, where the project’s first permanent concrete structures are being built. More than 6,600 cubic metres of concrete have been poured so far.

LOWER RESERVOIR INTAKE

A total of 370 metres has been excavated from both ends of the connection tunnel which is 825 metres long and will create a connection between the Talbingo intake structure and the tailrace tunnel.
A 70-metre tower crane has been installed to lift heavy equipment and materials in and out of the intake pit.

MARICA SURGE SHAFT

Excavation of the 240 metre deep and 28 metre wide Marica surge shaft has passed 151 metres.
The shaft will provide water storage when Snowy 2.0’s power station starts up. When the station is shutting down, the Marica surge shaft will also provide pressure relief in the headrace tunnel. When completed, it will be one of the widest and deepest operational shafts in the world.

DOWNSTREAM SURGE SHAFT

Excavation of the upper chamber for the downstream surge shaft is 68% complete. This shaft will be approximately 200m high and provide water storage when the power station starts up in pumping mode and pressure relief in the tailrace tunnel when the power station starts in generation mode.

TUNNEL BORING MACHINES (TBMs)
Florence

TBM Florence is excavating the 17-kilometre headrace tunnel, which will connect the underground power station to the upper Tantangara reservoir.
The machine is now more than 3.0-kilometres into the headrace tunnel.

Lady Eileen Hudson

TBM Lady Eileen Hudson is excavating the 6-kilometre tailrace tunnel, which will connect the underground power station to the lower Talbingo reservoir.
The machine has now completed 85% of the tailrace tunnel, having already completed the 2.85-kilometre main access tunnel. This tunnel is now being used by workers to access the power station caverns.

Kirsten

TBM Kirsten is excavating the very steep, 1.6-kilometre Inclined Pressure Shaft (IPS) connecting the underground power station to the headrace tunnel.
The machine has excavated 14% of the shaft to date.
We expect the performance of our tunnel boring machines to continue to vary in line with ground conditions.

TBM4

In December 2024, the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure approved Snowy Hydro’s application to deploy a fourth tunnel boring machine. The machine will help protect the delivery timeline by boosting the project’s ability to tunnel through a complex geological fault zone.
Work to prepare for the launch of the machine is underway. It is set to begin excavation by the end of 2025.

RESTART AFTER WORK STOPPAGES

Underground work on Snowy 2.0 has been progressively restarting over the last two weeks. Operations for all three tunnel boring machines are underway, as well as power station drill and blast cavern excavation.
Above ground work was not impacted and continued throughout the period underground work was stopped.

SNOWY 2.0 SAFETY INCIDENT

27/02/2025

Following a serious safety incident at Snowy 2.0, Snowy Hydro will seek an immediate independent safety review and audit, and will require changes to principal contractor Future Generation Joint Venture’s (FGJV) leadership on the project.

These actions follow an underground fan failing and losing part of its blade on Tuesday morning. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Underground work was stopped to allow inspection of all fans. FGJV will work with SafeWork NSW to ensure they are safe, with the aim of progressively restarting work.

Nothing is more important to Snowy Hydro than safety. Recent safety concerns at Snowy 2.0 have made it clear that as the client, our assurance role over FGJV’s activities requires this intervention.

We’re committed to working with our workforce and unions to ensure that the safety standards we expect are in place at Snowy 2.0.

News

SNOWY HYDRO RELEASES 2024 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

13/01/2025

Snowy Hydro has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, covering the progress the energy generator and retailer has made in areas such as environmental stewardship, social impact, and understanding and responding to its carbon emissions and climate risks.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the report reflects the company’s role in enabling Australia’s transition to renewable energy, while highlighting its progress and ambitions.

“At Snowy Hydro, we understand that sustainability goes beyond fulfilling our environmental commitments,” Mr Barnes said.

“It’s about supporting our people, driving better diversity outcomes and making a positive difference to the communities we serve.

“The 2024 report shows the progress we are making and achievements we are proud of. While we recognise there is still more to do, this report serves as our roadmap, keeping us accountable and focused on delivering even better outcomes for stakeholders and the community in the future,” Mr Barnes said.

Mr Barnes also acknowledged Snowy Hydro’s responsibility as custodian of the water that flows through the Snowy Scheme, highlighting its role in balancing electricity network reliability, with the irrigation needs of farmers and other water users.

Key sustainability achievements in the 2023/2024 financial year include:

Producing 3,937 GWh of renewable electricity from our hydro generation assets – enough energy to power around 600,000 homes for a year.
Growing our mass market retail brands business to 1.4 million customers, with a focus on delivering authentic, personal customer service.
Our retail brand Red Energy recognised with the Customer Satisfaction Award for the 14th year in a row
7,958 students benefitting from Snowy STEM Academy programs
Keeping our people safe, reflected in our low Total Recordable Incident Frequency Rate (TRIFR) score
Delivering five events of 8-hour peak water flows from Jindabyne reservoir to improve the health of the Snowy River ecosystem
Maintaining outstanding reliability across our generation assets, with our hydro generators starting successfully 99.7 per cent of the time, and gas 98.5 per cent of the time, underpinning our ability to contribute to stable electricity supply
$557,000 spent through our community giving programs
Increasing the proportion of women in senior leadership roles
$320,000 of funding for Murray River rehabilitation work to maintain waterflow and prevent erosion

Snowy Hydro is the third largest generator of electricity in Australia by capacity. We can generate 5,500 megawatts (MW) of electricity across eight hydroelectric power stations, three natural gas power stations, and four diesel power stations.

Snowy 2.0 and the Hunter Power Project are set to deliver 2,860MW of additional capacity. This significant boost to the network’s capacity will make a meaningful difference to energy supply reliability, particularly on hot days in summer.

When these fast-start generating assets come online, they will enable further wind and solar generation that can displace more than 33 million tonnes of CO₂-e per annum.

This carbon emissions displacement would represent a 28 percent reduction in the National Electricity Market emissions from 2022 levels, and approximately 13 percent of Australia’s 2030 total emissions reduction target.

To learn more about Snowy Hydro’s sustainability journey and access the 2024 report, visit https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Snowy-Hydro_2024-Sustainability-Report.pdf.

News

FIND OUT MORE – SNOWY HYDRO COMMUNITY RESEARCH UPDATE

14/11/2024

Findings from Snowy Hydro’s 2024 Community Insights research have now been published, with opportunities for locals to attend in-person information sessions to ask questions and provide feedback.

The research campaign conducted earlier in the year invited all community members across south-eastern NSW to provide their opinions and experiences related to Snowy Hydro operations and the Snowy 2.0 project.

Insights gathered from the survey will help shape Snowy Hydro’s approach to community engagement and commitment to supporting positive social outcomes, according to Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Scott MacKillop.

“We’re really grateful that people gave up their time to talk to us about how they see Snowy Hydro in the community and share their ideas,” he said.

“The research told us there is strong support for Snowy Hydro and the Snowy 2.0 project across the region.

“There was also great feedback around how Snowy Hydro can continue to evolve the way it engages with local communities, which we are using to inform our approach going forward.

“The community also made it clear that there is a strong expectation that Snowy Hydro continues to have a positive impact on the region, particularly in terms of the legacy Snowy 2.0 leaves for the region after construction.

“We look forward to talking with you at the information sessions so you can ask questions and find out more about the recommendations being developed by the Snowy Hydro team.”

The Snowy Hydro community information sessions being held throughout the Snowy Mountains and surrounding areas will give community members a chance to hear about the research findings, ask questions and give us their feedback.

The sessions will also include updates on regional water operations and Snowy 2.0 project construction progress, including plans for a fourth tunnel boring machine and milestones achieved at the Tantangara and Lobs Hole worksites.

The Snowy Hydro Community Insights survey was open to individuals aged 18 and older from the Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Towong, Bega Valley and surrounding local government areas. A series of focus groups, one-on-one meetings, phone surveys and community pop-up stalls supported the online survey.

Research findings will be available on the Snowy Hydro website and at the community information sessions. Details below:

LOCATION	DATE	TIME
Talbingo Country Club	18 November	6pm – 7.30pm
Tumut Valmar Support Services	19 November	6pm – 7.30pm
Jindabyne Bowling Club	21 November	6pm – 7.30pm
Adaminaby School of Arts Hall	26 November	6pm – 7.30pm
Cooma Ex-Services Club	27 November	6pm – 7.30pm
Corryong Events Centre	2 December	6pm – 7.30pm
Khancoban Community Hall	3 December	5pm – 6.30pm
Bega Bowling Club	9 December	6pm – 7.30pm
Merimbula Twyford Hall	10 December	6pm – 7.30pm

News

SNOWY 2.0 TUNNEL PROGRESS AND CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

01/11/2024

The Snowy 2.0 pumped-hydro megaproject has marked a significant milestone, with one of three tunnel boring machines (TBM), Lady Eileen Hudson, now two-thirds of the way through its second tunnel excavation.

The TBM is approximately four kilometres into the six kilometre ‘tailrace’ tunnel, which will link the lower Talbingo Reservoir with the massive 20-storey underground power station. TBM Lady Eileen Hudson previously completed a 2.85 kilometre main access tunnel, which is now being used by construction teams to reach the underground power station site.

Drill and blast works are also advancing at the Talbingo water intake, creating a new 700-metre tunnel between the intake structure and the tailrace tunnel. The Talbingo intake is located in very steep terrain and following excavation of 570,000 cubic metres of material over two years, the rock face is now 110 metres high.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said that recent months have been some of the project’s most productive.

“Overall the project is around 60 percent complete and there’s a strong sense of momentum, with good tunnelling progress by TBM Lady Eileen and other two TBMs performing well,” Mr Barnes said.

“Snowy 2.0 is one of the most complex and challenging megaprojects underway in the world. There is an immense sense of pride in what’s being achieved across the workforce of more than 3,000 people.”

Mr Barnes said Snowy 2.0 will be the most significant addition to the National Electricity Market (NEM) since the original Snowy Scheme.

“Snowy 2.0 will have a generating capacity of 2,200 megawatts and an unmatched 160-hour storage capability, meaning it will be able to power around 3 million homes for a week,” Mr Barnes said.

“While batteries and gas are important to store the excess energy from the increasing amounts of wind and solar in the grid, only pumped hydro can offer the long-duration storage needed to keep the lights on and smooth energy price peaks during extended periods without enough sun and wind.”

Snowy 2.0 is on track to be delivered within the $12 billion budget and be complete by the end of 2028.

Across the project, more progress is being made:

In the underground power station complex, the caverns are more than 27% excavated.
- All 196 of the very large brackets that will hold the temporary construction cranes to build the underground power station have been installed in the two power station caverns.
- When fully excavated, the Snowy 2.0 power station will be the equivalent of a 20-storey, 250 metre-long building, located 800 metres underground.
At Marica, the 28-metre wide surge shaft is excavated to 123 metres, or half of its final depth. The shaft will provide water storage when the power station starts up and pressure relief in the headrace tunnel when it shuts down.
TBM Florence is progressing well, excavating the 17-kilometre long ‘headrace’ tunnel that will link the upper Tantangara water reservoir to the underground power station, with more than 1,600 metres excavated. TBM Kirsten is performing to plan and is now excavating the 1.6-kilometre, very steep tunnel that will link the headrace tunnel to the underground power station. Ground conditions ahead of all TBMs are expected to be inconsistent and the performance of the machines will vary as a result.
The NSW Department of Planning, Infrastructure and Housing is currently assessing the planning modification to enable a fourth project TBM, which is required to tunnel through a challenging geological fault zone.
Snowy 2.0 is focused on health and safety above all else. While health and safety performance is encouraging, it is an area in which the project is continually monitoring and looking to improve further:
- The project’s current total reportable injury frequency rate (TRIFR) is 2.42^*. ^*Calculated per million hours worked. Current total work hours are 27.8 million.
- The current lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) is 0.92.

News

FORMER SNOWY SCHEME WORKERS VISIT SNOWY 2.0

01/11/2024

They came together from all corners of the world to build the iconic Snowy Scheme and decades later, a visit to the Snowy 2.0 project has provided former workers with an eye-opening snapshot of Australia’s renewable energy future.

About 60 members of the Snowy Scheme workforce continued 75th anniversary celebrations with a tour of the main Snowy 2.0 construction worksite at Lobs Hole and lunch with current workers.

Snowy Hydro’s 2,200 megawatt pumped hydro mega project, which is expanding the Snowy Scheme generating capacity by more than 50% and delivering 160 hours of energy storage, made an impression on the tour group.

Former Chief Operating Officer Ken Lister, described the engineering on display as “truly world class” and was matched by the competence, courage and collaboration of the Snowy 2.0 workforce.

“It is obvious that the people of Snowy 2.0 are just as committed to delivering a project to ‘keep the lights on’ as the former workers were in ‘turning the waters westward’,” Ken said.

Tumut resident Ray Holloway, who worked as a fitter’s assistant on the Tumut 3 Power Station build, said the scale of Snowy 2.0 was ‘amazing’.

“The whole day was magnificent and to see the project like that was a memorable experience. It’s a lot bigger than I thought it was,” Ray said.

Snowy 2.0 Project Director, Snowy Hydro’s Dave Evans, said it was a privilege to host former Scheme workers onsite.

“We were incredibly proud to show them Snowy 2.0 and to acknowledge their contribution to this project – without them, and the mighty Snowy Mountains Scheme, we wouldn’t be here today,” Dave said. “We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.

“Together, the Snowy Scheme and Snowy 2.0 will be critically important to underpin Australia’s transition to renewable energy.”

The Lobs Hole site tour followed a 75 years of the Snowy Scheme Former Worker Reunion event in Cooma and a range of community-led initiatives including an open day at the Snowy Scheme Museum in Adaminaby.

The final Snowy Hydro initiative for the 75th anniversary is the community open day at Tumut 3 Power Station on Saturday, 2 November. A record number of registrations were received, with registrations for this event now closed.

News

SNOWY 2.0 CONFIRMS FOURTH TUNNEL BORING MACHINE TO PROTECT DELIVERY TIMELINE

23/08/2024

A new tunnel boring machine will be deployed to help keep Snowy 2.0 on its delivery timeline, subject to approval by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

New ground testing techniques have provided a better understanding of the full extent of a complex fault zone on the route of the 17 kilometre tunnel that will connect Snowy 2.0’s upper reservoir to its underground power station.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said activating a fourth tunnel boring machine is the right course of action, given that what is now known about the tunnelling challenges ahead has provided the opportunity to mature the design.

“We’ve always known the fault zone was there and I’ve said in the past we will need to take action,” Mr Barnes said.

”While the fault zone is not a surprise, further ground testing since the project reset has revealed it is far more geologically challenging than earlier investigations indicated.

“We’ve carefully considered a range of options to get through the fault zone and overcome the initial design immaturity. Bringing in a fourth machine is the best way to keep the Snowy 2.0 on track for its target completion date of December 2028.”

A modification for Snowy 2.0’s project approval has been submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, and will be subject to the Department’s independent community consultation and assessment processes.

The planning modification seeks approval for a change to construction methods within the project’s already approved work zone. There is no proposal to increase approved land clearing areas, surface or groundwater impacts. Local communities will be consulted about relevant changes to construction methodologies.

“We’re mindful that we are building Snowy 2.0 in a precious and protected national park. We have worked diligently to arrive at a proposal that does not step outside our existing construction area or increase our already approved impacts,” Mr Barnes said.

Mr Barnes said he remains committed to transparency regarding the project, given the inevitable challenges ahead.

“Just like the construction of the original Snowy Scheme, this is one of the most challenging and complex megaprojects underway in the world,” he said.

“The fourth tunnel boring machine is an example of adapting to the situation in front of us, so we are doing everything we can to safely meet Snowy 2.0’s delivery timeline.”

While the need for a new tunnel boring machine is driven by new information about the fault zone, Mr Barnes acknowledges that the disappointing performance of Florence, the tunnel boring machine excavating the same tunnel that the new machine will also work on, has contributed to the need to take significant action.

“It’s difficult to say with certainty whether the same action would be needed if Florence had performed as we had hoped. However, it’s likely that the fourth machine would still be needed,” Mr Barnes said.

Snowy 2.0 will help underpin Australia’s transition to renewable energy through its ability to generate enough flexible, fast-dispatch energy to power 3 million homes continuously for a week.

The unmatched scale and duration of Snowy 2.0’s storage and generating ability will effectively provide the network with critical electricity supply insurance against extended periods without enough wind and sunlight. Most other forms of storage, including batteries, can only generate power for a handful of hours.

According to AEMO (the Australian Energy Market Operator), Snowy 2.0 will supply a majority of the National Electricity Market’s storage needs, greater than every other storage asset combined.

“Snowy 2.0 is critical to Australia’s energy future. We need to get this job done,” Mr Barnes said.

Subject to planning approval, the new machine will be tunnelling before the end of 2025.

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 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

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.