News

IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT PROVIDENCE PORTAL

16/03/2021

Work is about to start on a 500m section of channel between the Murrumbidgee / Eucumbene tunnel outlet and the Eucumbene river at Providence Portal, to improve safety and environmental outcomes downstream.

This section of channel is designed to sit below the Lake Eucumbene full supply level, but due to the current lake levels, it has been exposed, resulting in some unstable banks. As a short-term measure, the area has been fenced off.

Improvement works have been designed and funded to address the instability, according to Snowy Hydro area manager Kent Allen.

“The banks of the channel would benefit from ‘laying back’ and armouring with local rock material to address these concerns. This work is also expected to improve water quality outcomes downstream,” said Mr Allen.

The work is being carried out for Snowy Hydro by Leed Engineering and Construction and is due to commence in late March so it can be finished prior to winter.

“Snowy Hydro regrets any short-term impacts to people who use this small section of channel. This can be a busy time of the year for fishing and camping. However, the works are not expected to impact anyone who is fishing upstream of the Portal on the Eucumbene River or visiting the wider Eucumbene foreshore area,” said Mr Allen. “The long-term benefits of these improvement works will result in a much safer and improved foreshore experience for people visiting this area of Lake Eucumbene.”

The works are being carried out in close consultation with the local trout fishing advocacy group, the Monaro Acclimatisation Society. MAS spokesman Steve Samuels said the works should improve conditions downstream for trout breeding and fishing, which are an important economic driver for the region.

The work is expected to be completed by 30 April 2021.

News

LAUNCH OF SNOWY HYDRO’S ONLINE EDUCATION HUB

01/03/2021

Snowy Hydro is excited to officially launch its Australian curriculum-aligned online
education platform, the Next Generation Education Hub. This digital learning platform
aims to spark an interest in STEM-related (science, technology, engineering and maths)
subjects for young people.

Snowy Hydro has a proud history of supporting the next generation of innovators by
providing in-person programs to both local and visiting schools at the Discovery Centre
in Cooma. The Next Generation Education Hub allows us to take these learning
experiences online to be more accessible to students across the Snowy Mountains.
The Next Generation Education Hub has been developed to offer study material across
the STEM subjects, as well as history and geography. Learning modules cover elements
of engineering and power generation, the history of the Snowy Scheme, Snowy 2.0 – all
based on the past, present and future of the Snowy Scheme.

Snowy Hydro CEO Paul Broad said: “Snowy Hydro has a proud Australian history of
innovation and engineering excellence. We are delighted to provide an online education
platform to inspire the next generation of young Australian minds.

“The Next Generation Education Hub will bring the Snowy Scheme back into the
classroom,” he said.

The education hub provides easy-to-access teaching materials including downloadable
fact sheets, activity sheets and learning resources with lesson plans and additional
extension activities. It also features the Snowy 2.0 digital pop-book which brings the
Snowy 2.0 project to life for young minds.

The platform provides engaging, critical thinking opportunities with fun, practical
activities including making snow, building a turbine and creating precipitation.
The education programs at the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre have been redesigned
for the 2021 school year. With three different packages available and optional extras
including ‘meet a real-life engineer’ and dam-building demonstrations, there is
something to suit all learning needs .

For more information on the tailored programs available to local schools contact
education@snowyhydro.com.au

News

LOCAL TRAINEES HIT THE GROUND RUNNING

29/01/2021

Snowy Hydro is buzzing with fresh energy and new faces after welcoming the 2021 trainee intake.

As part of its commitment to providing employment opportunities, skills training and insight into STEM careers for local young people, Snowy Hydro annually offers 12-month, paid traineeships to school-leavers from the local area.

This year, 12 trainees have taken up positions in a range of business areas including information technology, energy generation and asset management, communications, human resources, finance, community relations, Snowy 2.0 and procurement. Ten are based in Cooma and two of the trainees are regionally based, with one in Khancoban and the other in Talbingo.

Snowy Hydro CEO Paul Broad said the highly-successful traineeship program was in its 30th year.

“Snowy has been giving local young people a start in their careers since 1991 – literally hundreds of trainees have gained on-the-job experience with us while combining business administration studies at TAFE.

“We’re very proud to support local people and our communities and also to offer opportunities that focus on training and development. This helps make sure our company has the people and skills that are needed now and into the future,” Mr Broad said.

Some of the new trainees are second and third generation Snowy employees. Talbingo-based trainee Aylah Rice’s grandfather was a diesel mechanic who helped build the Snowy Scheme. A 2020 trainee, Ian Grant, has just embarked on an electrical apprenticeship with Snowy Hydro based at Talbingo, while his father Martin is a Snowy Hydro Maintenance Manager at Jindabyne.

A number of the trainees are planning to go to university to study engineering. The Snowy Hydro traineeship provides participants with the opportunity to apply for a cadetship, in which the company sponsors students to study at the University of Wollongong.

“We see the traineeship program as a valuable pathway young people can take as they embark on their working lives and we encourage them to explore study opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM),” Mr Broad said.

“There are so many talented young people living in this region and we see them as our next generation of Snowy Hydro engineers, scientists, and information technology experts.”

Applications for 2022 Snowy Hydro traineeships will open in Term 2 – keep an eye on the Snowy Hydro website and social media channels for more information.

News

SNOWY 2.0 DIGITAL POP-UP BOOK – NEW ENERGY FOR A NEW GENERATION

07/09/2020

Snowy Hydro has launched a new digital pop-up book showcasing the Snowy 2.0 renewable energy project for a younger generation.

Bringing to life the engineering and purpose of Snowy 2.0 in a lively and interactive way, the pop-up book is designed to engage and inform young people.

It is an exciting online resource that will help spark community interest in the huge pumped-hydro project by explaining the journey from water to wire.

Paul Broad, CEO of Snowy Hydro, said the Snowy Mountains Scheme is an iconic part of Australia, however, not every child can visit the mountains so our challenge is to bring the experience to them.

“As Australia moves to a renewable energy future, it is important for young people to understand how energy is made. This digital pop-up book brings Snowy 2.0 to life for children. It is fun and interactive, as well as being educational.

“We are also looking to inspire the next generation of Snowy Hydro scientists, engineers, apprentices and trainees. Who knows? Maybe the pop-up book will kick start a young person’s passion for energy and science,” he said.

Kids and their parents can access the pop-up book on the Snowy Hydro website and enjoy the animations that explain how the Snowy Scheme works, where Snowy 2.0 fits into the energy mix and the scale of this important regional project.

The Snowy 2.0 digital pop-up book makes it easy to see the ‘big picture’ and how important Snowy 2.0 will be as we transition to a low-carbon emissions future.

The pop-up book takes users through the Snowy 2.0 project in a cascading series of tiles featuring animated characters and colourful graphics, clickable elements, videos and a project timeline.

The pop-up book is the first stage of Snowy’s online education website, the Next Generation Education Hub, which is set to launch later this year. The website will bring the power of water and renewable energy into classrooms and living rooms across the country.

People can also sign up for our Snowy Hydro e-newsletter and connect with us via social media.

To experience the Snowy 2.0 digital pop-up book visit popupbook.snowyhydro.com.au

News

SNOWY 2.0 MAIN WORKS TO DRIVE JOBS AND INVESTMENT

28/08/2020

Snowy 2.0 today achieved another significant milestone with the Federal Government’s approval for the project’s main works construction.

The Snowy 2.0 pumped-hydro project is a major expansion of the Snowy Scheme, linking two existing dams, Tantangara and Talbingo, through 27km of tunnels and building an underground power station.

The approval today allows construction to commence on the underground power station, waterways and access tunnels, and other supporting infrastructure.

It follows on from exploratory works, which got underway in 2019 and has included constructing site access roads, establishing a construction compound and excavating an exploratory tunnel.

“This approval marks the next stage in Snowy 2.0’s construction and brings our vision to become Australia’s biggest battery and storage for renewable energy one step closer,” Snowy Hydro’s CEO Paul Broad said.

“It’s full steam ahead for the Snowy 2.0 project that will pave the way for Australia’s energy transition.

“It also unlocks billions of dollars of investment that will create thousands of jobs over the life of the project and provide a much-needed boost to the local and regional economy, which has been hit by drought, bushfires and COVID-19.

“Snowy 2.0 is already playing a major part in kick-starting the local economy, with more than 100 local businesses involved and more than $35 million spent in the Snowy Mountains region.

“On completion of the project in 2026, it will provide 2,000 megawatts of new peaking power and firming capacity that will provide clean and reliable energy to millions of Australians.”

News

Australian Govt green lights Snowy 2.0 Main Works

15/07/2020

The Australian Government has given environmental approval for Snowy 2.0’s Main Works, which will create up to 4,000 jobs, drive significant infrastructure investment and underpin Australia’s renewable energy future.

The approvals include almost $100 million in offsets, which will be invested in conservation and recreational projects in Kosciuszko National Park that will benefit the local environment and park users.
Snowy Hydro’s CEO Paul Broad said the Federal Government’s approval on 30 June 2020 now finally cleared Snowy 2.0 to go ahead.

“This is the final approval for Main Works including the tunnelling after a comprehensive and robust assessment process,” Mr Broad said.

“This is a very exciting day for Snowy Hydro and marks a major achievement in our vision to become Australia’s biggest battery and storage for renewable energy.

“Snowy 2.0 will provide 2,000mw of new peaking power and firming capacity that will provide clean and reliable energy to millions of Australians.

“We’re now moving full steam ahead with this vitally important project for Australia’s future.

“Snowy 2.0 is already playing a major part in kick-starting the local economy, with more than 100 local businesses involved and $35 million spent in the Snowy Mountains region.

“To date, more than 500 people are working on the project as we progress the Exploratory Works that have been approved and underway for more than 12 months,” Mr Broad said.

There has been significant project activity at the Lobs Hole work site, with access roads and permanent bridges built, an initial construction camp established and excavations at the main access tunnel portal, in preparation for the first tunnel boring machine, which is expected to arrive in the coming months.

The Main Works will see construction continue to ramp up and will include an underground pumped-hydro power station, a range of tunnels, chambers and shafts, and roads, power and communications infrastructure.

“For a small permanent and mostly temporary construction footprint covering just 0.1% of the park, Snowy 2.0 will deliver 2,000MW of clean energy and large-scale energy storage to support many other wind and solar projects coming online,” Mr Broad said.

“We have been operating in Kosciuszko National Park for more than 70 years and we are committed to seeing it left in better shape for future generations.

“Snowy 2.0 will continue to be a major economic boost for local and regional communities dealing with the double impact of bushfires and COVID-19, with the workforce predicted to total 4,000 over the life of the project.”