In 2006 Snowy Hydro embarked on a substantial modernisation program to maximise the value of the Snowy Scheme hydro-generation assets. The program was to deliver engineering solutions, which underpin our trading strategies and increase our flexibility in responding to future market needs. In 2012, a major milestone of the Scheme Modernisation Project was reached with the completion of the Tumut 3 Power Station upgrade. Snowy Hydro has completed the upgrade of all six generating units at Tumut 3. The generating capacity of the station has been increased from 1500 megawatts (MW) to 1650MW, but can deliver up to 1800MW under
Experience Australia’s highest town – Cabramurra!
May 8th, 2013At 1488 metres above sea level, Cabramurra is Australia’s highest town. Owned and operated by Snowy Hydro, the town has a number of activities to experience. Bistro 1488 is now open! This amazing bistro has been completely renovated and offers a unique and modern space to enjoy lunch or dinner. Open to the public, Bistro 1488 offers meals and refreshments seven days a week. Lunch is available from 10.00am to 2.00pm and dinner from 5.00pm to 9.00pm. The Cabramurra Visitor Centre and Store has also recently been upgraded and offers a range of services including information on Snowy Hydro, a
University education now available at the Cooma Universities Centre
May 3rd, 2013In March 2013 a long awaited and much anticipated event in the Cooma community occurred – the opening of the Cooma Universities Centre (CUC). The CUC, a joint project between Snowy Hydro and Cooma-Monaro Shire Council and four years in the making, is a high tech facility providing university-level distance education opportunities to students in the Snowy Mountains Region. Around 150 community and business leaders, politicians, school principals and general public attended the opening to see the CUC in operation. The CUC was officially opened by Snowy Hydro CEO Terry Charlton and the Cooma-Monaro Shire Council Mayor, Dean Lynch. Snowy
Search commences for new Snowy Hydro CEO
March 5th, 2013The Board of Snowy Hydro Ltd has commenced a search for a successor for its long serving CEO, Terry Charlton. The Chairman of Snowy Hydro, Mr Bruce Hogan, said, “Terry has led Snowy Hydro with distinction for 14 years. The transformation of the former Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority to the world class commercial enterprise that is Snowy Hydro today is a credit to his leadership.” During Mr Charlton’s tenure the company has grown from a hydro generator with a capacity of 3756 Megawatts to now have a combined hydro and gas generation capacity of 4526 Megawatts, and a highly competitive
The history of Cloud Seeding in the Snowy Mountains
February 10th, 2013The potential for cloud seeding in the Snowy Mountains was recognised more than 50 years ago, with the CSIRO conducting experiments in the region over the period 1955-59. The outcomes of the research reported a 19% increase in snowfalls, however these were later were regarded as inconclusive because of perceived shortcomings in the design of the experiment. Further studies to assess the potential for cloud seeding were undertaken in subsequent decades; however no cloud seeding experiments were undertaken. An extended period of drought during the second half of the 1990’s prompted Snowy Hydro to further investigate and confirm the effectiveness
Snowy Hydro – A renewable energy company?
February 4th, 2013This article addresses the following questions from the community: “Is Snowy Hydro a renewable energy company?” “Why isn’t Snowy Hydro investing in wind?”, and “Snowy must being doing well out of green power?” Is Snowy Hydro a renewable energy company? Almost all of the electricity produced by Snowy Hydro is renewable hydro power, generated by the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme. Only a very small portion comes from Snowy Hydro’s two gas fired “peaking” power stations in Victoria. The Snowy Scheme is the “powerhouse” of the Snowy Hydro business making us a “renewable energy company”. Our fuel is water. However, the
Contract signed for new runners for Murray 1 Power Station
January 29th, 2013Scheme Modernisation planning is well on track with the recent signing of the design and supply contracts for the runners of Murray 1 Power Station. In September, CEO Terry Charlton met with Koichi Yanabe, Managing Director, and Matt Proctor, General Manager – Power Systems & Services, from Toshiba International Corporation, to execute the Contract for the Murray 1 runners. The delivery of the runners will occur from 2015 to 2017. This $11.3million Contract is the last in a series of contracts between Snowy Hydro and Toshiba for supply of runners across the Scheme. Toshiba has previously supplied runners for Murray
Learning Centre project well underway
January 8th, 2013Works are progressing well on the Tertiary Learning Centre in Cooma. Repainting of the building has been completed and internal fit out works well advanced. Local contractors are installing data and communications hardware to enable high speed data and communications connections for students with their university. Study areas and group study rooms, along with a state of the art student audio-visual room to enable live streaming to tutorials and lectures are almost completed. The community open day for interested community members, local high school students and potential university students saw first hand how the building has been transitioned from the
Snowy Ride – raising essential funds for childhood cancer research
December 20th, 2012The Snowy Mountains Region rumbled with the sound of almost 3000 motorcyclists riding into town in early November for the Snowy Ride. The Snowy Ride event occurs annually with the aim of involving motorcycle riders from all over Australia to raise money for Childhood Cancer Research. It is also an opportunity for riders to enjoy a weekend away with their friends and family and to ride some of Australia’s best and most picturesque roads in our region. Snowy Hydro is a major supporter of the Snowy Ride – this being our 12th year involved with this fantastic community event and
Water Operations for 2011-12 outlined in latest report
December 20th, 2012Snowy Hydro’s 2011-12 Water Operations Report is now available. As with the previous four reports, this report is widely distributed to our company’s stakeholders and the local communities and businesses associated with the Snowy Scheme, both in hard copy and online. This Water Operations Report describes how the Snowy Scheme operates, Snowy Hydro’s water operations in the 2011-12 water year (1 May 2011 – 30 April 2012) and how Snowy Hydro met its obligations under the Snowy Water Licence during that water year. The report is independently audited and verified by the leading 3rd party auditing, assurance, and certification organisation,
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