News

SNOWY SUPPORTS ROAD SAFETY, TOURISM BOOST FOR ADAMINABY

13/04/2026

Six new 30-metre parking bays in Adaminaby are now complete, marking a significant win for road safety and local tourism.

A collaborative effort between Snowy Hydro and Snowy Monaro Regional Council, with state and federal government funding, the dedicated areas allow drivers to take advantage of the town’s amenities while enjoying rest and meal breaks.

Snowy Hydro Head of Social Impact and Community Sarah Norris said these bays provided a perfect stopover opportunity for Snowy 2.0 workers, Kosciuszko National Park visitors, fishing and winter snow sport enthusiasts alike.

“We all know that with winter approaching, it’s best to take it slow in ice and snow while driving in the region,” she said.

“These bays are crucial for not only our workforce and sub-contractors but the wider community – and it’s an initiative that we were delighted to support.”

Ms Norris said Snowy 2.0 had injected more than $20 million into Adaminaby’s economy since kicking off in 2017.

Ms Norris said Snowy had also invested more than $70,000 to support year-round tourism and local events alone in the town through its Community Grants Program and the Snowy STEM Academy Fund.

Adaminaby Public School: Updated sports oval equipment and Local School STEM fund ($19,072)
Adaminaby Community Action Group: Development of a concept design for Seymour Park ($9,999)
Adaminaby Jockey Club: Support for annual Adaminaby Races ($20,000 since 2023)
Snowy Scheme Museum collection ($12,524 – including 75th anniversary grant)
Lake Eucumbene Chamber of Commerce: Upgrade to the Adaminaby information display to enhance visitor experience ($10,200).

“We fully recognise the pivotal role this town, its infrastructure and its people have played in the Snowy story since the original Scheme’s first blast in 1949,” she said.

“This community remains important to our operations today and will continue to do so well into the future as we deliver Australia’s largest renewable energy project.”

News

EDEN BECOMES VITAL GATEWAY AS SNOWY 2.0 HITS NEW PHASE

17/03/2026

Eden will become a vital new gateway for Australia’s biggest renewable energy project as Snowy 2.0 enters its next major construction phase.

With construction now more than 71 per cent complete, the Port of Eden’s navy wharf facilities will provide deepwater access needed to transport materials from sea to remote sites in the Snowy Mountains.

The port will soon handle massive steel sections for the project’s pressure waterways, which direct water into six turbines housed in an 850-metre deep underground power station at Lobs Hole.

Once completed, these components will play an integral role in the generation of on-demand renewable power and long-duration energy storage Australia needs to reach net zero by 2050.

The materials would be transferred through Bombala, Dalgety and Berridale on proposed truck routes.

Large loads (over 4 metres) would be trucked overnight under pilot and police escorts, depending on size, while smaller loads would be transferred during daytime hours.

Snowy 2.0 Chief Delivery Officer Dave Evans said the transfer of hydropower kit was both a detailed and well-planned logistical undertaking.

“Eden will soon provide a new and vital link for us to move important components from sea to our sites in the Snowy Mountains in addition to the project engaging 27 local businesses on the project,” he said.

“While there will be an increase in heavy vehicle movements through the region, we’ve worked closely with authorities to ensure this equipment is transported safely on designated routes.”

For the latest traffic information, visit the project’s traffic webpage or call the 24/7 project information line at 1800 766 992.

News

SNOWY HELPS DRIVE NEW TUNNELLING STANDARDS

04/03/2026

Snowy Hydro has taken a lead role in modernising industry tunnelling standards to enhance protections for underground workers across NSW.

Snowy 2.0 underground tunnelling safety lead Brogue Rinebarger was part of a working group that helped to draft new ways of working to replace the 2006 tunnels and shafts in construction code of practice.

Snowy 2.0 features more than 40 kilometres of underground tunnels at its Lobs Hole, Tantangara and Marica sites.

SafeWork NSW Riverina Murray operations manager David Jones said Snowy Hydro played a “significant role” in updating the code to better meet modern safety standards and reflect new ways of working.

“Snowy also provided information and guidance to ensure health and safety risks from tunnels and shafts in construction are safely managed in accordance with current work health and safety laws,” the spokesperson said.

Snowy 2.0 General Manager of Health, Safety and Environment Lisa McKeown said real-world insights would help to elevate benchmarks across the tunnelling sector.

“By sharing our practical experience from one of Australia’s most complex engineering projects, Snowy Hydro is helping to ensure underground workers in NSW benefit from the highest possible safety standards.”

The new code is expected to be released by mid-2026.

News

MONICA MAKES HER MARK ON SNOWY 2.0

01/02/2026

Snowy 2.0 has reached a major milestone with the commissioning of its fourth tunnel boring machine, with the renewable energy mega-project now more than 70 per cent complete.

Named in honour of Monica Brimmer, a talented Tumut High School student and winner of a First Nations art and storytelling competition, the machine was powered up during a ceremony on-site.

Joined by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen on-site, Monica radioed in instructions for the first rotation of the TBM’s huge 12-metre cutterhead to applause from local community members and workers in attendance.

TBM Monica is among the world’s most advanced tunnel boring machines. It has been purpose-built to tackle the Snowy Mountains’ unique and highly variable geological conditions.

Launching from the project’s Marica worksite, just outside Kiandra, TBM Monica will begin tunnelling in the coming weeks and will excavate the portion of the 17-kilometre headrace tunnel that passes through the geologically challenging Long Plain Fault Zone.

The commissioning milestone comes as significant progress is made across the project’s worksites in the NSW Snowy Mountains.

Almost one kilometre underground at the project’s Lobs Hole worksite, the focus is shifting from tunnelling and excavation to preparing the intricate fitout of an complex underground power plant the size of Sydney Opera House.

To prepare for this, 46 permanent concrete pours have already been completed.

More than 733,000m3 of underground excavation – equivalent to 293 Olympic-sized swimming pools of material – has taken place in the huge subterranean caverns that were created using drill-and-blast techniques, some of which were pioneered on the original Snowy Scheme.

More than 5,200 workers are delivering Snowy 2.0 across four major project workfronts and in excess of $300 million has been invested in the local economy.

News

FROM HERITAGE TO HI-TECH MACHINERY

28/01/2026

Australia’s largest renewable energy project has received the seal of approval from an international tunnelling giant and Germany’s top diplomat in Australia.

Tunnelling pioneer Martin Herrenknecht and German ambassador Beate Grzeski enjoyed a quintessentially classic Australian flat white at the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in Cooma and toured the Snowy 2.0 Marica worksite, outside Kiandra.

Herrenknecht is touring major tunnelling projects across Australia and New Zealand with a special focus on Snowy 2.0’s fourth TBM, known as Monica.

The world’s pre-eminent TBM manufacturer says Monica is among the most complex machines the company has engineered worldwide.

Mrs Grzeski said the connection between Australia and Germany extended beyond modern machinery.

Snowy 2.0 deputy project director Mark Fox, German ambassador to Australia Beate Grzeski, Herrenknecht founder Martin Herrenknecht and Herrenknecht Australia managing director Charles Howarth and Snowy 2.0 engineering manager Jonathan Carroll.

“Australia wants to become a renewable energy superpower and this pryeah ooject is a big part of those ambitions,” she said.

“There’s actually quite a strong link between Germany and Snowy.

“Lots of Germans worked on the original Scheme and now we’ve got Herrenknecht TBMs that are part of that story.”

For Dr Herrenknecht, the size and scale of Snowy 2.0 continues to resonate on the global stage.

“I’m always quite impressed when I come to Snowy,” he said.

“It’s a great project, lots of people talk about Snowy 2.0 internationally.

“It’s a green energy project, that’s quite great, and one I’m quite proud to be part of.”

News

SNOWY HYDRO COMPLETES MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW FOR SNOWY RIVER

28/10/2025

Close to 70,000 ML of water will flow into the Snowy River below Jindabyne in September and October, as Snowy Hydro completes its annual high flow releases.

The high flow releases, which are managed under the Snowy River Increased Flows (SRIF) program, are designed to mimic the natural flow of the Snowy River, which would typically see more water in Spring as the snow melts.

The increased flows follow a bumper snow season across the Snowy Mountains. Snow depth at Spencers Creek, which is monitored by Snowy, reached 220cm – the first time since 2022 the snow depth has topped two meters.

Snowy Hydro Water Modelling Manager Sander van Tol said spillway releases are only possible once the reservoir reaches a certain level.

“We haven’t been able to release water via the spillway at Jindabyne Dam since May 2023 as water levels have been considerably lower following two dryer than average years.

“We work closely with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to ensure we’re getting the most out of the water available for environmental releases.

“In the lead up to our high flow releases, we conduct forecasting and determine a range of inflow scenarios, as well outflow scenarios such as evaporation and daily release targets. This helps us understand whether it will be possible to deliver a flushing flow.”

High flow events support the health of the Snowy River, improving the condition of in-stream habitat for the native wildlife.

“Working on the environmental release program is very rewarding. I support the development of environmental release targets with the NSW Government, and it’s great to see the program is improving the health of our rivers while also providing enjoyment for local communities, including those downstream,” said Mr van Tol.

News

COST REASSESSMENT UNDERWAY FOR ON-SCHEDULE SNOWY 2.0

03/10/2025

Snowy Hydro has directed Snowy 2.0 principal contractor Future Generation Joint Venture (FGJV) to undertake a comprehensive line-by-line reassessment of its costs to deliver Snowy 2.0, as the project’s delivery remains set for its December 2028 completion.

At 67 percent complete, Snowy Hydro believes material cost pressures mean now is the time to oversee FGJV as it carries out the cost reassessment which is expected to take up to nine months to complete. Independent construction cost experts have been engaged to verify the principal contractor’s reassessment.

Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said Snowy 2.0 has made good progress since the 2023 project reset. Delivery rates have almost doubled in the past two years, with the average monthly progress of 0.57 percent increasing to 0.91 percent, and August 2025 hitting 0.98 percent delivery. This is despite pressures that reflect cost and productivity challenges currently being experienced across countless major infrastructure projects.

“Since the reset, the project has generally been progressing well and is now 67 percent complete,” said Mr Barnes.

“Despite disruption, including work stoppages due to safety concerns and continuing challenges with geology, we’ve been able to recover that time and get us to where we need to be in terms of schedule.

“The reset was about getting Snowy 2.0 moving again by creating a more collaborative relationship with the principal contractor and achieving safe progress. We’ve done both, but the productivity uplift hasn’t been to the degree we needed.”

Some of the most significant sources of cost pressure for Snowy 2.0 since the reset include:

Costs associated with contractor productivity targets not realised: While the 2023 reset succeeded in substantially increasing productivity, there remain challenges. This is due to a combination of factors, including delays from TBM stoppages in 2024, work stoppages associated with safety concerns and general productivity underperformance. Our reassessment will examine past productivity performance and our future productivity requirements.
Costs of de-risking challenging geology no longer being able to be absorbed: A fourth TBM will be used to derisk challenging geological conditions through the Long Plain Fault Zone and help protect the project’s schedule. The initial assessment was that the cost to purchase, deploy and operate would be covered within the project costs, however cost pressures have meant this is no longer possible.
Supply chain cost increases: Our contractor has identified unforeseen supply chain cost increases to significant, bespoke procurement, including major offshore purchases associated with Snowy 2.0’s underground power station.

Mr Barnes said while the need to reassess Snowy 2.0’s cost is disappointing, the critical importance of the project to electricity users across the network has not changed.

“Snowy 2.0 will be a cornerstone of Australia’s transition to renewable energy, providing more than half of the long-duration storage the grid needs by 2050.

“It will enable the introduction of more wind and solar by acting like a giant battery, storing and delivering enough excess energy to power around 3 million homes for a week.

“Snowy 2.0 is being built to operate for 150 years. It is as important to Australia now as the original Snowy Scheme was decades ago.

“Like the original scheme, which still helps underpin electricity reliability today, the benefits of Snowy 2.0 will be felt for generations.”

News

TBM MONICA ON THE MOVE

03/10/2025

What weighs more than 137 tonnes, is seven metres wide and is transported by 152 wheels?

An integral piece of Snowy 2.0’s new tunnel boring machine’s cutterhead!

TBM Monica’s centre cutterhead piece was transported through Cooma last Wednesday night en-route to the Marica worksite north of Kiandra.

At 73 metres long, the transfer was a sight to behold as it travelled up Sharp Street bound for the final leg of its journey on the Snowy Mountains Highway.

Snowy Hydro Chief Delivery Officer – Snowy 2.0 Dave Evans said the smooth transfer was the result of months of hard work and planning.

“It’s an amazing sight to watch the huge pieces of our tunnel boring machine travel through Cooma and up to our remote Marica work site,” he said.

“It’s a credit to the project’s hard-working traffic and transport team that we’ve been able to complete this complex operation safely.”

The cutterhead – which is the main excavation tool of a TBM – is too large to move in one piece and has been split into five.

More than 140 big loads have been delivered to the Marica site from Port Kembla in recent weeks.

TBM Monica will become the project’s fourth active mega tunnelling machine, once it is assembled and commissioned in the coming months.

News

‘NEVER BE TOO OLD’: IS BRIAN AUSTRALIA’S OLDEST APPRENTICE?

26/09/2025

Age is just a number for Tumbarumba’s Brian Graham, the newest qualified electrician working on Australia’s largest renewable energy project – at the age of 60.
Brian’s whirlwind career journey has taken him from a childhood in Scotland’s central lowlands to car manufacturing in Adelaide for a decade, boat building in Queensland and now Snowy 2.0 for principal contractor Future Generation Joint Venture.
“You’re never too old to learn something new,” he said.

“At 60, I didn’t see any obstacles, only the possibility that other people’s bias might hold me back.

“Anything you want, you’ve got to work for it.”

Brian, who moved to Australia in 1988, revealed he first heard about the initial Snowy Scheme one day through a chance conversation.

“When I was in Edinburgh, I met an elderly gentleman in his 80s and when he found out I had been living in Australia, he started telling me he had worked on the original Snowy Scheme as an electrical engineer and he was so proud of it,” he said.

“It was something that he was so proud of and he really held onto.

“Working on this project, I now know how he feels because I’ve got that same pride.

“It’s an iconic project and it’s a legacy that we’ll leave for generations to come.”

Brian described working for FGJV on Snowy 2.0, as part of a huge workforce helping to usher in Australia’s clean energy future, as a “life-changing experience”.

“Having the opportunity to do an apprenticeship at 60 was absolutely amazing … becoming an electrician is something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said.

“Especially at my age, it makes you feel really proud to be able to pull something like that off.

“Working with the young people keeps you alive and young – there’s a bit of competition to try to keep up with them and it keeps you on your toes.

“There’s lots of people employed on this project – that’s lots of people that are able to pay their mortgages, put food on the table and put their kids through school.”

Outside of work, Brian and his wife Judy keep busy on their two acre property with renovations, chooks, a vegetable garden and beekeeping – not to mention five grandchildren.

To work alongside Brian, or to learn more about jobs and upcoming opportunities for apprentices, visit the Snowy 2.0 careers webpage.

News

SNOWY HYDRO CELEBRATES $1 MILLION IN COMMUNITY GRANTS

15/09/2025

Snowy Hydro is celebrating a significant milestone, with more than $1 million donated to local organisations in the Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys and Towong regions through the Community Grants Program.

The major achievement highlights Snowy’s ongoing commitment to the communities it operates in and comes as the latest round of funding opens for applications.

Since 2022 the Community Grants Program, which is open to applications twice a year, has supported a diverse range of local organisations and grassroots initiatives, helping to make a tangible difference to rural communities.

Community groups and not for profit organisations across the Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, and Towong regions are now invited to apply for funding.

More than $200,000 in funding is available, with eligible applicants able to apply for grants of up to $10,000.

Snowy Hydro Head of Social Impact and Community Sarah Norris said achieving $1 million in funding was a proud moment and a testament to the work of local organisations.

“This million dollar milestone represents hundreds of important local projects, from upgrades to local facilities, to new equipment for local hospitals. We’re incredibly proud of the organisations we support.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what great ideas are submitted this round and we encourage any eligible group that has an initiative to apply.”

Earlier this year, more than 100 applications were received for the first round of funding in 2025 and this went to improving accessible living infrastructure in Cooma, support for the Tumbarumbra Spring Flower Festival, and the installation of security and technology upgrades at the Corryong Craft Shop.

Funding from Snowy Hydro recently helped local wildlife rescue group, LAOKO, to purchase two large animal enclosures that will provide a safe and secure space for injured and orphaned wildlife to be rehabilitated.

Robyn George, Treasurer, LAOKO, said that as a volunteer-run organisation, any funding they receive makes a huge difference to the outcomes for the native wildlife they care for.

“We don’t receive recurrent government funding, so this kind of support is invaluable. Thanks to this funding from Snowy, our trained volunteers can give native wildlife the best possible chance of recovery before returning them to their natural environment.”

To be eligible for funding, community groups must be a not-for-profit or charity with an Australian Business Number and the project, event or initiative must directly involve or support communities located within the Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys or Towong local government areas.

Applications are open until 12 October 2025, with winners informed in late November. For more information and to apply, visit snowyhydro.com.au/communitygrantsprogram.

News

SNOWY 2.0 NAMES FOURTH TBM AFTER TUMUT STUDENT

10/09/2025

Monica’s artwork clinches Indigenous naming competition

The fourth mega tunnel boring machine on the Snowy 2.0 project will be named after a talented Tumut High School student who scooped top prize in an Indigenous art and storytelling competition.

Aspiring engineer Monica Brimmer, 15, wowed the judging panel with a stunning piece that reflected the spirit and purpose of Australia’s largest renewable energy project.

Inspired by flowing water, connected dams, mountains, energy, an underground power station and a connection to Country, Monica’s creation was awarded top marks in the competition, organised by Snowy Hydro in partnership with the Stars Foundation and Tumut High School.

Cheered on by her delighted schoolmates during a special school assembly, Monica said her artwork represented the creation of renewable energy and symbolised a “greener future in which the land and our animals are better cared for”.

“When my name was read out I felt nervous and surprised but also really proud. I had hoped to win the competition but I really didn’t expect it,” she said.

“Knowing there’s something really important to the project out there with my name, in the mountains, is really cool.

“I’ve been interested in engineering for quite a while – and it’s pretty cool to put art and engineering together as part of something I could put my mind to.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said Snowy 2.0 is a nation-building project and it’s fitting its next tunnel boring machine will carry the name and vision of a young local student and future engineer.

“Monica’s artwork captures the spirit of clean energy and connection to Country and reflects the brighter, cleaner energy future we’re building together,” he said.

“It’s inspiring to see the next generation in Tumut leading the way on creativity for Australia’s clean energy transformation.”

Snowy Hydro Chief Delivery Officer – Snowy 2.0 Dave Evans said the winning artwork perfectly encapsulated the project’s role in underpinning Australia’s clean energy future.

“Monica’s artwork and the story behind it blew all the judges away,” he said.

“The lightbulb shines bright and displays the power that we’re going to generate for the east coast of Australia through Snowy 2.0’s huge 2200MW capacity.

“It also perfectly highlights our workforce who are almost 1 kilometre deep underground in the Snowy Mountains building one of the world’s biggest power stations.”

Tumut High School principal Brad Taylor said the calibre of entrants was “exceptional”.

“Monica is a highly academic student, and someone that we’re very proud of at the school, so I’m not surprised she’s produced such thoughtful artwork,” he said.

Stars Foundation program coordinator Nioka Marlowe said the competition showcased students’ talents and storytelling skills.

“This made clear to these young Indigenous girls that they’re important – and they’re seen – and gave them an opportunity to be on the big stage,” she said.

The TBM will shortly begin its assembly at the Marica work site, located on the Snowy Mountains Highway near Yarrangobilly Caves, ahead of tunnelling starting in late 2025.

Julie and Monica Brimmer celebrate winning the TBM4 naming competition.

News

SNOWY 2.0 STUDY DEEPENS ARCHAEOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING

25/08/2025

An extensive archaeological technical study carried out across Snowy 2.0 project sites has deepened our understanding of Aboriginal and European occupation in the Snowy Mountains.

Excavation carried out by NSW Archaeology principal archaeologist Julie Dibden found more than 35,000 indigenous stone artefacts across 782sqm at Lobs Hole, Tantangara and Marica work fronts.

The report has found “Aboriginal occupation was not only intense and widespread, but systematic and strategic”.

“The mountains provided people with a resource rich landscape with a mosaic of different environments, each with an abundance and diversity of fauna and plants for food and other material needs,” the report read.

“In addition, the woodlands and forests provided wood for fire … suitable stone for satisfying material and technological need (was) also plentiful.”

The majority of the artefacts found were:

flakes and flake fragments
hammer stones
anvils
mortar stones.

The findings indicate the Lobs Hole valley, with plentiful nearby resources, was used as a repeated base camp for family groups and large gatherings.

Stone shaping – known as knapping – and vegetable handling also occurred.

Hammer stones were found in the valley, demonstrating certain heavy tools were left in place for later use rather than being carried around the steep terrain.

The distribution of artefacts in the Tantangara area shows there were repeated visits by families and small groups over an extended period of time, reflective of its harsher climate.

Community consultation sessions

The report has made a number of recommendations that will be shared at two Aboriginal community consultation sessions in Tumut and Cooma for further discussion.

All Aboriginal community members with a cultural connection to the Snowy 2.0 project sites (Lobs Hole, Tantangara and Marica) are invited to attend.