News

SNOWY HYDRO SUPPORTS STUDENTS WITH LIFE CHANGING STEM SCHOLARSHIPS

07/03/2025

Two aspiring engineers will benefit from life-changing scholarships funded by Snowy Hydro to further their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.

The two scholarships will be funded by Snowy Hydro for three years, with each receiving $30,000.

The scholarships are part of Snowy Hydro’s partnership with the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering’s (ATSE) Elevate program which helps more women and non-binary people access STEM opportunities.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said he was delighted to see Snowy Hydro’s partnership with ATSE create life changing opportunities for two deserving women.

“Snowy Hydro believes supporting gender diversity in the sector is important to ensuring a strong talent pipeline of future energy leaders,” Mr Barnes said.

“The reason we joined forces with ATSE was to provide opportunities like this, to make a genuine difference in helping people who might otherwise experience barriers when pursuing a STEM career.

“We are proud to support these two ambitious and talented women from regional Australia as they develop their skills and pursue their academic journeys.”

The Scholarship beneficiaries are:

Courtney Bulgarelli: Originally from Mount Isa in far northwest Queensland, Courtney will be studying Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba.

Jessica Thomson: Originally from Darwin in the Northern Territory, Jessica will be studying a Bachelor of Engineering (honours) at Monash University in Melbourne.

The scholarships will not only support Courtney and Jessica financially but also grant them access to the vast ATSE network, including mentoring, professional development workshops, and 24-hour psychosocial wellbeing support.

ATSE CEO Kylie Walker said both women are worthy recipients having gone through a rigorous selection process which saw more than 250 scholarships awarded from over 1,500 applications received.

‘Partnerships to boost and tap into the skills we need for such important infrastructure are absolutely key,” Ms Walker said.

“Snowy Hydro has a long history as a champion of supporting diversity in STEM and this is the next important step. We are so excited to see this come to life through our scholars.”

News

SNOWY HYDRO’S 2025 COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM NOW OPEN

03/03/2025

Community groups and not-for-profit organisations across Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys and Towong are invited to apply for funding to support local initiatives as part of Snowy Hydro’s Community Grants Program.

In total, Snowy Hydro has more than $200,000 of funding available to support this year’s program, with groups able to apply for grants of up to $10,000.

Snowy Hydro’s Head of Social Impact and Community Sarah Norris said the Community Grants Program aims to support projects and initiatives that address local needs, connect communities, and deliver long lasting benefits.

“Strong communities are built on ideas, passion, and local action. This program is about just that, by empowering people to bring their ideas to life and make a lasting impact where it matters most,” she said.

“If you have an idea that could make a difference, we encourage you to apply. This support could help you turn your vision into a reality.”

In 2024, the Snowy Hydro community review panel assessed more than 180 applications across two funding rounds, allocating $405,000 to 60 impactful projects.

Past recipients include CUC Snowy Monaro, which used its grant to deliver the ‘Speak Up’ program – helping young people develop leadership and public speaking skills- and Big Brothers Big Sisters in Tumut, which expanded its mentoring program to support more at-risk youth.

To be eligible, groups must be not-for-profit or hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), and operate within the Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys or Towong local government areas.

Applications are open until 11.55pm on Sunday 16 March, with results announced by the middle of the year.

For more details and to apply, visit snowyhydro.com.au/communitygrantsprogram/

The Snowy Hydro Community Grants Program was formalised in 2022, and since then has invested around $860,000 towards 142 local projects.

News

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

HUNTER POWER PROJECT UPDATE

16/12/2024

Testing and commissioning of Snowy Hydro’s fourth fast-start, on demand gas power station has now begun.

This first phase of commissioning involves pressure testing the Hunter Power Project’s (HPP) approximately 23 kilometre network of pipe infrastructure that will deliver gas, diesel and water to the station’s generators.

Using the latest technology the world’s best manufacturers can offer, HPP will be powered by two of the most gas-efficient turbines available and will be capable of delivering 660 megawatts of electricity to the grid. This significant amount of power will make a meaningful difference to supply reliability, helping the network cope during hot weather and outages of transmission lines and other power stations.

As more wind and solar enters the electricity grid, HPP will play a critical role by providing back-up power to homes and businesses.This means that while HPP is only expected to run around 5 percent of the time, it will enable around 2 gigawatts of renewable energy to be added to the grid, which is the equivalent of displacing around 5 million tonnes of CO2-e every year¹.

PHASED COMMISSIONING

Alongside the pipe pressure tests, HPP’s switching station, which was built by Snowy Hydro as part of the project but handed over to Ausgrid to operate, will be connected to provide the power station with energy from the grid. Testing will then progress to commissioning the first of HPP’s two turbines and generators.

Pending a smooth process, the first turbine and generator is expected to reach full commercial operation by the end of April 2025. Commissioning of the second turbine and generator will follow, with commercial operation of both turbines and generators expected by the end of June 2025.

Depending on commissioning outcomes, there is a possibility of either turbine being available to provide some power to the grid sooner. These target dates are dependent on the commissioning program not being impacted by weather or other factors.

VALUE AND COST

HPP has experienced extended periods of extreme weather and other factors that have stopped work on the project, impacting its timeline. As flagged in the August 2024 project update, HPP’s cost has been impacted in order to minimise the delay in its completion, so HPP can produce power for the network as soon as possible.

Prioritising power availability means the final cost of HPP is expected to be around $1.3 billion, dependent on a smooth transition to commercial operation without delays from weather or other factors.

Despite the change in cost, the strength of HPP’s economic benefit has increased. HPP’s net present value (NPV), has increased to $914 million from $531 million at the March 2021 final investment decision².

This increase in HPP’s economic value has been largely driven by:

more wind and solar generation in the grid increasing the need for HPP to provide on-demand, back-up energy to boost electricity reliability;
a substantial increase in HPP’s gas storage capacity to 70TJ from 43TJ;
HPP’s contribution to managing transmission risk between Sydney and the Snowy Hydroelectric Scheme in the Snowy Mountains, by providing an alternative electricity source for Australia’s largest economy in the event of transmission outages.

LOCAL BENEFITS

The project is delivering substantial jobs and investment benefits to the Hunter region:

To promote interest in STEM career paths and education, HPP’s team has engaged with local students through career expos and presentations, including through partnerships with the Clontarf Foundation in Kurri Kurri, Youth Express and Training Services NSW.

$751 million spent domestically, with $619 million spent in the local Hunter region.

57% of HPP’s workforce are local residents.

20 apprentices are engaged on the project, providing skill development in the Hunter region.

Over $175,000 has been awarded to 39 local projects through the HPP Community Grants Program.

Over $26,000 has been granted to Cessnock LGA schools through the Snowy Hydro Local Schools STEM Fund in 2024.

¹Assumes every 1 MW of dispatchable capacity from HPP enables 3 MW of variable renewable capacity and displaces thermal generation with a carbon intensity of 0.94 t/CO2-e/MWh. Scope 1 emissions from HPP are estimated to be approximately 0.14 million tonnes of CO2-e per annum based on a carbon intensity of 0.52 t/CO2-e/MWh.

²NPVs discounted to March 2021.

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

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 HYDRO CONTINUES INVESTMENT IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES

08/10/2024

Snowy Hydro has kicked off round two of its 2024 Community Grants Program, with more than $200,000 of funding available to help local community groups bring their ideas to life.

With grants of up to $10,000 each, the program aims to support community-led initiatives that encourage growth and resilience in regional communities. Whether related to education, health, regional capacity building, or the environment, this funding is about creating lasting, positive change.

Grants are available for community-led initiatives that align with Snowy Hydro’s community commitment pillars of education and development, health and wellbeing, regional capacity building and environment.

Sarah Norris, Snowy Hydro’s Social Impact and Engagement Manager, said the program is about helping communities thrive, “We believe in the future of our communities and are proud to support projects that create real opportunities and make a difference.

“The passion and creativity we’ve seen from past recipients have been truly inspiring, from grassroots initiatives that bring people together, to innovative programs that address regional challenges.

“It’s more than just funding. It’s about helping people turn their ideas into reality and contributing to a vibrant, resilient future for our region. We’re thrilled to continue this journey with a new round of applicants and can’t wait to see what ideas come through.”

Earlier this year, the first round saw over 80 applications, with $204,000 in funding for 30 worthy projects. From small grassroots efforts to larger initiatives, the Snowy Hydro Community Grants Program is making a real impact across the Snowy Mountains region.

To be eligible, groups must operate within the Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, or Towong areas. They must be a non-profit group or organisation that holds an Australian Business Number (ABN) and can show how their project will address community needs, deliver lasting benefits, and build stronger connections.

Applications are open until 20 October 2024, with results announced in late November. For more details and to apply, visit the Snowy Hydro website and start making a difference today!

All applications must be submitted online via the online form, found on the Snowy Hydro website.
For more information about Snowy Hydro’s Community Grants Program visit: https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/communitygrantsprogram/

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 HYDRO JOINS FORCES WITH ATSE TO BOOST STEM GENDER DIVERSITY

21/08/2024

Women and non-binary people pursuing dreams of a STEM career will have an opportunity for game-changing support, thanks to a partnership between Snowy Hydro and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE).

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the iconic Snowy Scheme, Snowy Hydro will offer financial scholarships with wrap-around assistance to two undergraduates. The two STEM scholars will be able to study STEM disciplines at the university of their choice, as well as the opportunity for mentoring and professional development designed to help them find a job and thrive.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the scholarships were about providing additional support to people who might otherwise experience barriers to a career in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

“The Snowy Scheme is synonymous with scientific and engineering excellence and that’s continuing with the development of the Snowy 2.0 mega project,” Mr Barnes said.

“Providing this support to kick-start two STEM careers is a meaningful way to mark 75 years of the Snowy Scheme and make an important contribution to the skills that will help make the next 75 years possible.

“There’s also an important diversity consideration here. The energy sector is typically male dominated and there’s so much that can be gained by women and gender-diverse people choosing STEM disciplines.

“I’d love to see the people who are awarded the Snowy Hydro 75th Anniversary scholarships contributing to Australia’s transition to renewable energy.”

The scholarships will be offered through ATSE’s Elevate program. Snowy Hydro will fund two scholars for three years, with each scholar receiving $30,000 over the period. This scholarships will not only support the scholars financially but also grant them access to the vast ATSE network, including mentoring, professional development workshops, and 24-hour psychosocial wellbeing support.

Mr Barnes said one of the reasons Snowy Hydro is partnering with ATSE is because a significant number of Elevate program scholarship recipients are from regional areas.

“When you live in a regional area, there are far more barriers to studying, particularly, STEM, which often require technology and resources that are only available in cities. Relocating to study creates an additional financial burden,” Mr Barnes said.

“Knowing the ATSE and the Elevate program have a substantial regional footprint, and that our scholarships might help break down those barriers, is important to us.”

“Boosting gender diversity in STEM is not just a matter of equity but a critical driver for innovation and sustainability.” said ATSE CEO, Kylie Walker.

“Women bring diverse perspectives and approaches to problem-solving, which are essential in tackling the complex challenges of transitioning to renewable energy and achieving net-zero targets.

“Partnerships with industry leaders like Snowy Hydro are vital to this mission, as they provide the career opportunities and real-world expertise needed to empower women and gender-diverse people in STEM and drive meaningful progress in these fields.”

Snowy Hydro and ATSE are committed to creating a lasting impact by supporting the next generation of STEM professionals, particularly those from underrepresented groups. This partnership highlights how industry collaboration can drive meaningful change and contribute to a diverse and inclusive STEM industry.

Applications for the Elevate program have been open since May and will close 30 August. Assessment will take place in September and October. The announcement of the selected scholars will occur in November, with scholarships commencing in January 2025.

For more information about the Elevate program, visit https://www.atse.org.au/elevate.

About ATSE

ATSE is an independent, non-government organisation and charity, ATSE is led by a diverse Fellowship of over 900 of Australia’s leading applied scientists, technologists and engineers.

Their Elevate program provides scholarships, networking opportunities, mentoring, and wellbeing support to scholars during their university studies. The Elevate program will award up to 500 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to women and non-binary people in STEM.

The Elevate scholarships program provides:

• Financial support
• Access to events and networking
• Professional development
• Mentoring
• Wellbeing support during scholars’ university studies

About Snowy Hydro

Snowy Hydro is a dynamic integrated energy company at the forefront of the renewable energy transition and decarbonisation of the NEM. In addition to its commitment to clean energy, Snowy Hydro is also a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, particularly in supporting opportunities for women in STEM. Through its Snowy STEM Academy, development and mentorship programs, Rise Women and a focus on creating an inclusive workplace culture, Snowy Hydro is dedicated to fostering the next generation of female leaders who will shape the future of renewable energy and contribute to the ongoing transformation of the NEM.

News

HUNTER POWER PROJECT DELIVERS LOCAL JOBS AND SKILLS

12/08/2024

Snowy Hydro’s Hunter Power Project (HPP) is leaving a lasting impact on the local workforce, delivering approximately 600 direct construction jobs and crucial skills development for a number of high-demand construction trades.

More than 60% of HPP workers live locally, which is part of Snowy Hydro’s commitment to supporting communities that the company is a part of.

The number of apprentices at HPP is on the increase, with Snowy Hydro working alongside principal contractor UGL to provide an additional 12 apprenticeship positions in June 2024, which includes three females and two First Nations apprentices. New apprentices on site include a boilermaker, nine electricians, and two mechanical fitters.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said HPP will be good for jobs long after construction is complete.

“We are proud of our contribution to the construction, engineering, and infrastructure sector here in the Hunter, especially given the current tradespeople shortages in Australia.

“This project will have a lasting impact on the size and proficiency of the local workforce”

Mr Barnes said.

”A job on HPP will help set our team up for a rewarding career and a bright future.”

Electrical apprentice Daniel Battle said he became interested in the electrical trade after working as a Trades Assistant on the project.

“This apprenticeship is giving me the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience while working to a high standard within the industry to become an electrician,” Mr Battle said.

Apprentice boilermaker Jackson Scott said he was passionate about fabrication and welding. “I was very lucky to be offered an apprenticeship shortly after starting at HPP.

“HPP is preparing me to have a successful career contributing to important infrastructure in our country, and I’m extremely grateful,” Mr Scott said.

Electrical apprentice Camilla Lindeberg said she worked as a cleaner for seven months before applying for an apprenticeship.

“I never thought of being an electrical apprentice until the opportunity presented itself, and I’m excited for what the future holds.

“The challenge of learning something new and directly contributing to building HPP gives me a great sense of achievement and sets me up for a whole new career with endless opportunities,” Ms Lindeberg said.

Snowy Hydro is also looking to the future workforce through its community support programme.

In 2024, Snowy Hydro extended its Local School STEM Fund to the Cessnock LGA where HPP is located. More than $26,000 was awarded to schools in the area to foster learning opportunities and career pathways for local young people with a focus on STEM.

From left to right: Daniel Battle, Camilla Lindeberg, and Jackson Scott.

News

EVENTS CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF THE SNOWY SCHEME – REGISTER NOW

18/07/2024

Later this year, Snowy Hydro will be hosting two events in the Snowy Mountains to celebrate 75 years of the iconic Snowy Scheme.

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

“It’s important that we mark the 75th anniversary alongside those who worked on the Snowy Scheme construction and with the broader community,” Dennis said.

“Snowy Hydro has made a huge contribution to the local region and to Australia. We’re delighted to welcome the community to celebrate this shared milestone with us.

“The next 75 years will be just as important. The Scheme and its Snowy 2.0 extension will help underpin the nation’s transition to a renewable energy future.”

On Saturday, 19 October 2024, Snowy Hydro will host a reunion event at the Cooma Multifunction Centre for the former Snowy Scheme construction workforce and their families.

Additionally, on Saturday, 2 November, a community open day will be held at Tumut 3 Power Station in Talbingo. This event is an opportunity for both local residents and visitors to gain insights into Snowy Hydro’s proud history, current operations and plans for the future. Key highlights of the day include:

Tours of Tumut 3 Power Station
Bus tours to Talbingo Reservoir and the top of Tumut 3’s mighty penstocks
Fun and educational activities hosted by the Snowy STEM Academy
Food and coffee from local vendors

Registration for both events is now open on the Snowy Hydro website at snowyhydro.com/75years – it is essential to secure your place so register now.

For more information about the Former Worker Reunion Event and Tumut 3 Community Open Day, please visit the Snowy Hydro website or contact community@snowyhydro.com.au.

Information about these celebrations will be updated regularly on the Snowy Hydro website and social media channels.