renewable energy, snowy 2.0, snowy hydro, sustainability,
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About the Snowy Hydro 2.0 Project
The Snowy Hydro 2.0 project is working towards increasing the use of sustainably produced energy across Australia. Hydropower is considered one of the oldest forms of renewable energy and is currently the largest renewable energy source in Australia. However, it still only supplies five to seven per cent of Australia’s total electricity supply.
What is Snowy 2.0?
For the past 70 years, the Snowy Scheme has been supplying clean energy to Australia. Overall, the scheme has nine power stations, 16 major dams, 80km of aqueducts and 145km of tunnels.
The Snowy Hydro 2.0 project propels the Snowy Scheme into the future, and once complete, will provide on-demand renewable energy source and large-scale storage. Construction of the expansion works will mostly consist of excavating an additional 27km of tunnelling that will link two existing dams and the building of a new underground power station.
What are the benefits of the Snowy Project?
- Reduce energy prices and support the Australian economy
- Lower carbon emissions for future generations
- Support the transition to sustainable and renewable energy in Australia
- Create a reliable and stable energy supply
- Increase local employment opportunities, creating 4,000 jobs across the project lifecycle
- Upskill of employees through training, graduate programs, and shared experience, bringing that knowledge to other projects once the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project is complete.
Snowy 2.0 Fast Facts
- TBM Lady Eileen Hudson will install 72 seven tonne segments per day
- The project will excavate 27km of tunnelling consisting of 130,500 concrete segments to build 14,500 rings
- Rated as one of the civil engineering wonders of the modern world
- Once complete, it will provide a capacity to hold around 350,000 megawatt-hours of storage. This is enough to power three million homes for a week.
Project Timeline
From the start:
2017 – The proposal of the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project was announced.
2018 – Snowy Hydro 2.0 Project approval.
2019 – Construction started in 2019 by early works contractor Leed Engineering who completed the upgrades to access roads and site preparation. The principal contractors include Webuild, Clough and Lane Construction, whose partnership established the Future Generation joint venture.
2020 – The segment factory has been built where more than 130,000 precast concrete tunnel segments will be made. The Ravine substation was also built-in 2020. It will power the TBMs, accommodation camps and various construction activities.
2021 – The first half of 2021 has already marked milestones in the project with the naming of the TBM (Lady Eileen Hudson), construction starting on the 126-bed accommodation facility for workers.
Looking to the Future:
2021 – Tunnelling by TBM, Lady Eileen Hudson is expected to embark on her journey this year. Along with the excavation of the power station caver 800m below ground.
2025 to 2026 – The first collection of power is expected in 2025, with the estimated project completion in 2026.
We will be following this project closely and give updates as it progresses. If you are ever after more information, click here to visit the official Snowy Hydro 2.0 project website.
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