News

UPDATED: JINDABYNE DAM SPILL

22/12/2021

Following recent significant rainfall events, Jindabyne Dam reached full supply level on Monday 20 December and commenced spilling into the Snowy River.

Up to 140mm of rain was recorded in Snowy Scheme catchments last weekend, continuing what has been a very wet year and the wettest November/December since 1992.

With further storm activity forecast for the Christmas weekend and limited opportunities to pump water from Lake Jindabyne into the Murray River catchment, Snowy Hydro has reached agreement with NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE Water) to increase releases from the dam to bring the lake below full supply level. However, it is possible that the spillway may operate again if further extreme rainfall is experienced.

Upcoming releases from Jindabyne Dam into the Snowy River:

On Wednesday 22 December, the river will have a daily flow rate of 4,092 megalitres per day over a 24-hour period. According to DPIE (Water), this will result in a highest peak of 1.45m at Dalgety Weir.

On Thursday 23 December, the river will have a daily flow rate of 5,000 megalitres per day over a 24-hour period. According to DPIE (Water), this will result in a highest peak of 1.51m at Dalgety Weir.

On Friday 24 December, the river will have a daily flow rate of 4,866 megalitres per day over a 24-hour period. According to DPIE (Water), this will result in a highest peak of 1.50m at Dalgety Weir.

On Saturday 25 December, the river will have a daily flow rate of 2,387 megalitres per day over a 24-hour period. According to DPIE (Water), this will result in a highest peak of 1.50m at Dalgety Weir.

Snowy Hydro will continue to work closely with DPIE Water to identify opportunities to make controlled releases to manage the spill risks and minimise downstream impacts. Dam safety is paramount at this time and the spillway gates will automatically release water at any time the storage reaches or exceeds 100%.

Lake levels are anticipated to remain high for at least the next month, with continuing wet weather predicted in the seasonal outlook.

For the community, the most important message is to stay safe and well informed. The public can stay updated about flood alerts here:

For more information about releases into the Snowy River visit

https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/generation/live-data/lake-levels/ and https://dpie.nsw.gov.au/water/home

Snowy Hydro will continue to keep the community informed about management of water in Lake Jindabyne through its website and social media channels.

News

SNOWY 2.0 MAIN WORKS TO DRIVE JOBS AND INVESTMENT

28/08/2020

Snowy 2.0 today achieved another significant milestone with the Federal Government’s approval for the project’s main works construction.

The Snowy 2.0 pumped-hydro project is a major expansion of the Snowy Scheme, linking two existing dams, Tantangara and Talbingo, through 27km of tunnels and building an underground power station.

The approval today allows construction to commence on the underground power station, waterways and access tunnels, and other supporting infrastructure.

It follows on from exploratory works, which got underway in 2019 and has included constructing site access roads, establishing a construction compound and excavating an exploratory tunnel.

“This approval marks the next stage in Snowy 2.0’s construction and brings our vision to become Australia’s biggest battery and storage for renewable energy one step closer,” Snowy Hydro’s CEO Paul Broad said.

“It’s full steam ahead for the Snowy 2.0 project that will pave the way for Australia’s energy transition.

“It also unlocks billions of dollars of investment that will create thousands of jobs over the life of the project and provide a much-needed boost to the local and regional economy, which has been hit by drought, bushfires and COVID-19.

“Snowy 2.0 is already playing a major part in kick-starting the local economy, with more than 100 local businesses involved and more than $35 million spent in the Snowy Mountains region.

“On completion of the project in 2026, it will provide 2,000 megawatts of new peaking power and firming capacity that will provide clean and reliable energy to millions of Australians.”

News

Statement from CEO Paul Broad on COVID-19 case

30/03/2020

As a provider of essential services we are well prepared to operate through COVID-19. For weeks now we’ve had extensive measures in place to keep the lights on and progress Snowy 2.0 as safely and responsibly as possible.

On Thursday last week we were notified of a positive COVID-19 test result involving a Snowy Hydro employee who went immediately into self-isolation after returning from an overseas holiday.

As per Snowy’s strict and proactive COVID-19 protocols, the individual went into self-isolation immediately upon returning to Australia and did not come into contact with anyone. The employee was later tested following the development of a mild cough.

NSW Health Department has concluded that the employee has not transmitted the virus to any other person. In this case, the risk measures implemented by Snowy Hydro weeks ago were very effective and the staff member will remain in isolation until he is medically cleared.

Snowy Hydro continues to strictly enforce all of its COVID-19 safety and risk measures. We are operating at full capacity, Snowy 2.0 is full steam ahead and we continue to invest locally, supporting jobs and working with local businesses and suppliers.

News

Local and global experts to build Snowy 2.0

05/04/2019

Today Snowy Hydro Limited has achieved another significant milestone for Snowy 2.0 by appointing Future Generation Joint Venture as its main contractor. Snowy 2.0, a world-leading pumped-hydro expansion project, together with the mighty Snowy Scheme, will underpin Australia’s transition to a renewable energy future.

Future Generation is a joint venture between Clough, an Australian construction and engineering company, Salini Impregilo, a global hydropower and tunnelling specialist, and Lane.

The Engineer, Procure and Construct (EPC) contract signed today with Future Generation is consistent with the terms set out in the extensive, publicly-released Final Investment Decision information pack.

Under the single wrapped EPC contract, Future Generation will lead the civil works and Voith Hydro will deliver the latest hydro-generation technology in the new underground power station.

News

Snowy Hydro welcomes planning approval for Snowy 2.0 Exploratory Works

11/02/2019

Snowy Hydro welcomes the New South Wales Government’s planning approval for Snowy 2.0 Exploratory Works today. The decision, which follows a rigorous environmental and planning assessment process, is another significant milestone in progressing the project.

Snowy Hydro hopes to commence work for Snowy 2.0 soon, subject to Shareholder approval from the Federal Government.

Snowy Hydro CEO Paul Broad said NSW Government’s support for Snowy 2.0 is critical for the security, affordability and reliability of the National Electricity Market (NEM) in the future.

“The mighty Snowy Scheme keeps the lights on across the National Electricity Market at times of peak demand today, and Snowy 2.0 will build on our existing capabilities.

“With more intermittent renewables coming online Snowy 2.0 will create an additional 2000 megawatts of on-demand energy generation and 175 hours of large-scale storage so households and businesses have energy when they need it most.

“Snowy 2.0 will deliver reliable energy at times of peak demand and can ‘fill the gaps’ by generating when wind and solar energy output is low.

“Snowy Hydro takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously. We have a long and proven record of responsibly operating the Snowy Scheme within the national park and we will do everything possible to avoid or minimise impacts from construction of Snowy 2.0.

“Snowy Hydro will provide $10.5 million to offset any impacts from the Exploratory Works,” he said.

The NSW Government, which is responsible for allocating the offsets, has made the commitment that Snowy 2.0 offsets will be used by National Parks and Wildlife Service to support local environmental and recreational initiatives in Kosciuszko National Park.

Exploratory Works involve excavating an exploratory tunnel to gain a greater understanding of the underground geological conditions at the proposed location of the new Snowy 2.0 power station. The works also include upgrades and establishment of access roads, establishment of a construction compound and supporting infrastructure, and other activities.

Almost 50 years ago, exploratory tunnels were constructed for both Tumut 1 and Tumut 2 power stations, the two underground stations in the Snowy Scheme.

Snowy 2.0 will create jobs and economic opportunities across the Snowy Mountains – already more than 50 local businesses have been involved in the project.

In March 2018, Snowy 2.0 was declared NSW Critical State Significant Infrastructure, which provided a clear and well established framework for the project’s planning and environmental approval requirements.

An Environmental Impact Statement for Snowy 2.0 Main Works will be submitted to the NSW Government later this year.

For more information about Snowy 2.0, please visit snowyhydro.com.au.

News

Snowy Hydro appoints preferred tenderers for Snowy 2.0

18/01/2019

Snowy Hydro has appointed Australian and global experts in construction, engineering and hydropower as preferred tenderers for the Snowy 2.0 project, following extensive competitive tender processes over the last 18 months.

The preferred tenderer for the civil works is Future Generation, a partnership between Australian construction and engineering company, Clough, and global hydropower and tunnelling specialists, Salini Impregilo.

World leader in hydropower engineering and equipment supply, Voith Hydro is the preferred electrical and mechanical tenderer and will deliver the latest hydro-generation technology in the new power station.

Australian company Leed Engineering has also been awarded the contract for exploratory works pre-construction activities.

Contracts are currently being finalised, with contract execution subject to Shareholder approval of the project.

This is another important step towards the commencement of the project. Snowy 2.0 is a world-leading pumped-hydro project that, with the existing Snowy Scheme, will underpin the stability of the energy market as more renewable energy enters the system.

News

Snowy 2.0 approved by the Board

12/12/2018

Today, the independent Board of Snowy Hydro Limited approved a final investment decision to proceed with Snowy 2.0, subject to Shareholder approval.

Snowy 2.0 is a pumped-hydro expansion of the existing Snowy Scheme, providing 2000 megawatts (MW) of on-demand generation and 350,000MW hours of large-scale energy storage.

After almost two years of rigorous due diligence on every aspect of the Project, including detailed financial analysis and ongoing geotechnical drilling, the Board is confident Snowy 2.0 is a strong investment for the Company.

The Board has informed the Shareholder of its decision to proceed with Snowy 2.0 subject to Shareholder approval. Further Project information will be released following Shareholder approval.

Find out more about Snowy 2.0 here.

News

Snowy Hydro signs game-changing deals

01/11/2018

Snowy Hydro announced the signing of eight wind and solar contracts today to provide cheaper energy to 500,000 households.

The eight projects, totalling 888 megawatts (MW), are located across New South Wales and Victoria and are expected to generate about 2.8 terawatt hours of energy annually.

The new renewable energy generation, ‘firmed’ by existing Snowy Hydro assets, is a game-changer and will push down future energy prices. This will bring on significant new energy supply and therefore much-needed competition to the market, and will enable Snowy Hydro to pass on lower wholesale prices to our customers.

The renewable energy we have contracted will enable Snowy Hydro to offer very competitive, firm wholesale prices (ie. the cost of the raw renewable energy plus the cost of ‘firming’) – for below $70/MWh for a flat load, for up to 15 years.

Snowy Hydro is a key provider of fast-start, “capacity”-type products, and we keep the lights on at times of high demand. However, we are ‘energy short’ (meaning that we do not generate enough energy from own power stations to cover all of our customers) so we have to purchase energy from the wholesale market. We are one of the largest energy buyers in the NEM and, just like households, we are exposed to high wholesale prices.

Over the last 12 months, there have been rapid changes in the NEM and competitive pricing across all generation technologies has seen the cost of renewables fall.

Snowy Hydro was overwhelmed with the level of interest in our Renewable Energy Procurement Program, which saw more than 17,600MW of projects submitted through the procurement process. All eight winning projects are expected to come online within the next two years.

Snowy Hydro’s existing hydro, gas and diesel assets give us the ability to ‘firm’ up vast amounts of intermittent renewable generation today to ensure energy is available when needed.

In simple terms, ‘firming’ works by transforming intermittent energy into reliable energy so it’s available on-demand when a customer needs it. While the energy output of individual projects varies, Snowy Hydro’s power stations can work in combination with wind and solar, creating ‘firm’ reliable energy.

Snowy Hydro owns Red Energy and Lumo Energy, which together have more than one million customers.

News

Snowy 2.0 Declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure

09/03/2018

Snowy Hydro welcomes the New South Wales Government’s decision to declare Snowy 2.0 as a Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) project.

The declaration signifies the critical role that the Snowy 2.0 project, together with the upgrades to the NSW transmission network, will play in providing reliable energy and large-scale storage to NSW as we transition to a low emissions economy.

Snowy 2.0’s generation and large-scale storage capabilities, along with the existing Snowy Scheme, will continue to underpin the stability and reliability of the NEM as more intermittent renewables enter the market.

The CSSI declaration is not final approval for the project. It is a framework that sets out the robust environmental assessment and approval process that is required for the Snowy 2.0 project.

Paul Broad, CEO of Snowy Hydro said that the CSSI declaration gives the company a very clear and transparent process to follow.

“Like any other project, we are preparing comprehensive Environmental Impact Statements which will include a range of scientific and technical studies to be carefully scrutinised by the NSW Government.

“We have the greatest respect for the Kosciuszko National Park. It’s our backyard and for almost 70 years we have been excellent responsible environment managers operating the existing Scheme across the region.

“The project’s design is being done in a way that minimises its environmental footprint. This includes putting the majority of the physical structures, such as tunnels and the powerstation deep underground”, Mr Broad said.

The EIS will detail the components of the project, the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of Snowy 2.0 and how to best manage them. As part of the EIS, we will undertake thorough community consultation so that the wider community can have input into the process. The EIS will also be published for public comment.

Under the CSSI process and in accordance with the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Snowy Hydro will submit an EIS for assessment by the Department of Planning and Environment, in consultation with other key agencies such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Environment Protection Agency.

News

Snowy 2.0 Feasibility Study Delivered

20/12/2017

Snowy Hydro’s independent Board of Directors has approved the Snowy 2.0 feasibility study, and for further work to be undertaken for the project to progress to a final investment decision in 2018.

The feasibility study released today confirms that the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro expansion project is both technically and financially feasible. The comprehensive study provides a base case design and a strong investment case that exceeds Snowy Hydro’s stringent investment hurdles, with significant input from leading experts in economics, engineering and geology.

Snowy Hydro’s CEO, Paul Broad, said that progressing Snowy 2.0 was a strategic business decision and the projected return on investment would enable the company to fund the project.

“Snowy Hydro already plays a critical role in keeping the lights on but Snowy 2.0 would supercharge our existing capabilities by adding an additional 2,000 megawatts of dispatchable generation and 350,000 megawatt hours of large-scale storage.

“Snowy 2.0 will underpin the security and reliability of the National Electricity Market (NEM) as we transition to a low emissions future, at least cost to consumers.

“As coal-fired generation retires and renewables continue to grow, Snowy 2.0’s scale and central location will provide secure and reliable energy generation and the necessary large-scale storage to prevent blackouts and lower future energy prices.

“Snowy 2.0 is a strategic long-term investment in the NEM that will firm up future wind and solar generation. Intermittent renewables underpinned by Snowy 2.0 is a combination that could replace baseload generation when coal-fired power stations retire,” Mr Broad said.

The feasibility study outlines:

A strong investment case for the project and funding strategies.
A base case technical design, to be further refined as the project moves to final investment decision.
The independent estimation of costs between $3.8 – $4.5 billion, which takes into account the need for extensive reinforcement of the project’s structures due to the challenging geological conditions that were uncovered during the geotechnical drilling program.
If Snowy 2.0 is not built, the NEM would need a combination of batteries and gas peaking stations to meet future energy needs. This would cost at least twice as much as Snowy 2.0.
A project schedule that will see the first power generated from Snowy 2.0 in late 2024, in time to meet market needs.

“Completing this study is a significant and exciting milestone for us but it’s only just the beginning. The sheer size of Snowy 2.0 makes it a complex and significant project that will put the Snowy Mountains back in the global spotlight,” Mr Broad said.

Between now and final investment decision, Snowy Hydro will undertake further work including additional geotechnical drilling, issuing project tenders, finalising funding for the project and working through well established and rigorous environmental and planning approval processes.

The project will also boost economic activity across the Snowy Mountains from employment opportunities across the supply chain and in supporting services.

Snowy Hydro would like to acknowledge the work of our lead study engineer SMEC Australia and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency for their contributions to the study.

The feasibility study and more information on the project can be found on our website here.

To watch a video on the project click here.

News

Snowy’s highest power station to reach new heights

10/11/2017

Snowy Hydro, working with Andritz Hydro, is about to commence detailed design work for the replacement of the generator in unit one at Guthega Power Station. After more than 60 years of reliable operation this is the first time any generator across the Snowy Scheme has needed to be replaced.

The generator is connected to the turbine and is the part of the machine that converts the power produced by the spinning turbine into electrical energy for consumers. This project is certainly not your average flat pack. The generator will be assembled from thousands of individual pieces and weighing in at 230 tonnes it will need specialised trucks and trailers to get it on site.

Paul Broad, CEO of Snowy Hydro said this $13 million replacement project was the latest example of the company’s strategic investment in the Snowy Scheme.

“It’s not just Guthega Power Station we’re investing in. We have a thorough asset maintenance and modernisation program that upgrades our power stations and the water infrastructure across the Snowy Scheme.

“We’ve undertaken asset improvements that have actually increased the Scheme’s total generation capacity”.

“We’ve also implemented new technologies that allow us to start our generators faster, respond more quickly to changing market conditions and run our power stations remotely through our central control centre”, Mr Broad said.

The new generator will have a higher design rating (40 megawatts) than the existing unit to match the previously upgraded turbine. Every generator across the Scheme can be used independently and therefore each unit wears differently and is replaced based on its condition rather than age.

After undertaking a competitive tender process Snowy Hydro appointed Andritz Hydro to undertake the design, fabrication, install and commissioning of the generator. Andritz Hydro is a global supplier of electromechanical systems and services for hydropower plants and hydraulic power generation. The detailed design process and unit fabrication is expected to take around 12 months.

The Guthega Power Station houses two 30MW hydro-electric generating units and was the first power station built with construction starting in 1951. It’s on the Snowy River, just 12 kilometres from the summit of Mount Kosciuszko and sitting at 1330 metres above sea level, it is the highest power station in the Snowy Scheme.

Media contact: Stephanie McKew – General Manager, Corporate Affairs & Media 0409 298 757

News

National Science Week Winners

31/10/2017

After much deliberation from the judging panel, ten winners of the ‘Science of the Snowy’ competition were announced today.

The winners came from schools across the Snowy Mountains. The calibre and creativity of entries greatly impressed the judging panel which included the Hon Mike Kelly Member for Eden Monaro, Carolyn Ewart, from Country Universities Centre, and Tumut radio personality David Eisenhauer.

Chief Executive Officer, Paul Broad, said it was fantastic to see local children so engaged in science and technology. With more than 40 entries from Batlow to Bombala, the judges had a very tough job selecting the winners.

“Snowy Hydro is a modern and growing business. While some parts of the Scheme are more than 60 years old, we’re constantly upgrading our assets and integrating the latest technology into our operations.

“The level of research and effort that went into the entries shows we have many budding scientists and engineers in our local community.

“It’s great to see curious,young minds and I hope to see some of their names pop up on applications for jobs at Snowy Hydro in the years to come”, Mr Broad said.

Recognition and thanks must go to our judging panel and all the teachers that encouraged their students to enter the competition.

Competition winners: Jamie Jessup, Jackson Trellis, Ashley Lloyd, Dakota Simpson,
Hayley Bell, Sophie Wood, Courtney Bennett, Bridie Hampshire and Tye Gulliford.

Along with the 9 students, the judges also selected the entry from the Batlow Technology School to round out the winners.

Highly commended entries Brandy Cotty, Luke Jones, Taya Douch, Lily Edgecombe, Jemima Merritt, Finn Sullivan and Rachael Babidge.

The ‘Science of the Snowy Competition’ was launched as part of Snowy Hydro’s National Science Week Celebrations. To enter students in years 3-6 in the Snowy Mountains area shared their favorite favourite science, engineering, or technology fact about the Snowy Scheme.

The winners will receive a behind the scenes tour of the Snowy Scheme. Both winning and highly commended entries will be displayed in the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma.