Snowy 2.0

Snowy 2.0 is a 2,000 MW pumped-hydro expansion of the Snowy Scheme, providing large-scale energy storage to support the transition away from coal and the integration of variable renewable generation. It leverages two existing reservoirs at different elevations and constructs the generation, pumping and transmission infrastructure between them.

Scope includes 27km of underground tunnels and waterways, an underground powerhouse cavern housing six reversible pump-turbines, a transformer cavern, inclined pressure shafts, intake and outlet structures at both reservoirs, access road construction and extension in Kosciuszko National Park, and transmission connection works to the HumeLink and broader NSW grid. Three large TBMs have been deployed on the tunnel drives alongside conventional drill-and-blast and raise-boring.

The project has encountered complex ground conditions in some tunnel drives and has been subject to schedule and cost re-baselining. TBM progress, cavern excavation and associated civil works have continued. First generation is scheduled toward the latter part of the decade with staged unit commissioning thereafter.

Equipment demand is concentrated in underground plant, heavy earthmoving for access roads and portal works, remote-area logistics, aggregate supply, and concrete delivery at altitude. Specialist civil sub-tier operators have ongoing work at multiple access points.