Snowy Hydro extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and workmates of a man involved in a single vehicle crash on the Snowy Mountains Highway today.
NSW Police has confirmed that the driver of the vehicle, a Snowy 2.0 project truck, did not survive the accident.
Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the incident was incredibly distressing. “This is a tragic event and we are supporting our Snowy 2.0 Principal Contractor, Future Generation Joint Venture (FGJV), our teams and all those impacted in the community at this very sad and difficult time.”
The welfare of Snowy 2.0 workers is our immediate priority and project operations have ceased until the night shift on Tuesday 25 April.
At Snowy Hydro we understand the importance of developing students for the careers of the future, so we are excited to be hosting our inaugural Year 9 Careers Open Day on Thursday 30 March 2023.
The initiative, which is aimed at schools in the Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys and Towong local government areas, continues our strong focus on educational programs that spark an interest in science, technology engineering and maths (STEM) for local young people.
Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the Year 9 Careers Open Day would allow students to go behind the scenes at the Snowy head office in Cooma to explore the diversity of STEM careers.
“More than 100 students will hear from some of our engineers, climate scientists and technology experts and enjoy interesting, hands-on activities,” Dennis said.
“They’ll learn about Snowy Hydro’s operations and the amazing Snowy Scheme, participate in quality learning experiences, discuss STEM-related career pathways and learn how different engineering roles use maths on a daily basis.
“By showcasing what we do here at Snowy and what opportunities there are for local kids with an interest in STEM, we hope to inspire a future generation of engineers, scientists and technical specialists.
“The Year 9 Careers Open Day will also help students with their subject selections for year 10 and beyond.”
Students will begin their day at Snowy Hydro with a welcome from senior leaders. They’ll experience the fantastic Discovery Centre immersive theatre with a Snowy Scheme virtual flyover, visit the generation operations control room and learn about work experience, traineeships and apprenticeships and tertiary pathways at Snowy.
And that’s just the start!
Snowy Hydro is proud to be launching the Year 9 Careers Open Day in 2023 and establishing it as a fixture on the local schools’ calendar for years to come.
Snowy 2.0 is a critically important, pumped-hydro expansion of the Snowy Scheme that will help underpin Australia’s transition to a renewable energy future.
Construction of Snowy 2.0 continues to make progress across multiple worksites. At Lobs Hole, tunnel boring machine (TBM) Lady Eileen Hudson has completed excavation of the 2.7km main access tunnel and TBM Kirsten is almost finished excavating the adjacent 2.9km emergency, cable and ventilation tunnel (ECVT).
At Tantangara, the project team is currently conducting works to stabilise encountered soft ground and enable TBM Florence to restart excavating the headrace tunnel.
TBM Florence has tunnelled about 150 metres and is currently located at a depth of approximately 30 metres below ground. A surface depression recently emerged in the ground above TBM Florence, which has temporarily delayed progress on this particular worksite. The depression is approximately nine (9) metres deep and continues to be monitored.
Importantly, the integrity of the tunnel, which is supported by a concrete lining and steel ribs, has not been compromised, and nor has the capacity of the TBM. The project team has paused the machine until about 10-15m of weak material in front of it is stabilised, prior to striking hard rock, when we expect normal tunnelling to resume.
Snowy 2.0 principal contractor Future Generation Joint Venture (FGJV) is drilling probe holes through the front of the excavation to understand the ground conditions immediately ahead of the TBM. Grout is injected in front of the excavation to improve any weak zones and limit any water flows. Grouting is well underway from TBM Florence, with 20 grout holes drilled to date in the current location.
FGJV is currently installing a slurry plant for the TBM that will mean the machine can switch from open excavation to a closed, pressurised mode. This will deliver stable excavation and efficient progress through the softer ground conditions, while enabling the TBM to switch back to open mode when in harder rock.
Stage two of the works to stabilise the ground in front and above the machine will involve ground improvement from the surface. Once the area is grouted, the depression will be backfilled and revegetated.
Snowy Hydro has been responsibly operating the Snowy Scheme in Kosciuszko National Park for decades and remains committed to careful and safe management of this tunnelling challenge in a sensitive environment.
The Snowy 2.0 workforce of more than 2,200 is continuing to achieve milestones across a range of work fronts as they build the huge pumped-hydro expansion of the Snowy Scheme.
At Lobs Hole, in the main access tunnel, works are continuing on multiple drill and blast cross tunnels. These will link with the ECVT, where TBM Kirsten has tunnelled 2.8km and has reached the site of the underground power station cavern complex. This is a great milestone for Snowy Hydro as we now have access to the excavation site from both ends of the cavern, which will be one of the largest and deepest in the world.
TBM Kirsten is setting a global standard in tunnel boring technology, just as the original Snowy Scheme developed rock bolting techniques that are still used throughout the world today. The machine will soon be modified to excavate the inclined pressure shaft on a steep uphill angle. Modifications include altering the levels of the TBM’s tanks and mechanical equipment so they are level when travelling up the 25-degree incline, and converting the walkways on the machine’s sides into steps and ladderways.
Meanwhile TBM Lady Eileen Hudson is being reassembled at the Talbingo adit with some new components including a cutterhead and shields. It will be launched into the mountain later this year to excavate the 6km tailrace tunnel, which will feed into Talbingo Reservoir.
Excavation of intakes at Talbingo and Tantangara is advancing steadily, along with the giant surge shaft on the Marica plateau that is already excavated to a depth of more than 20m.
Despite the ongoing challenges faced by all large infrastructure projects, Snowy 2.0 continues to achieve progress across a large number of remote work fronts.
Snowy Hydro remains fully committed to ensuring the local community and stakeholders are kept updated on this pumped-hydro mega project that will provide the National Electricity Market with 2,000 megawatts of on-demand generating capacity and a huge 175 hours of energy storage.
Caption: 3D imagery of surface depression above TBM Florence at Tantangara, created using photogrammetry technology
Caption: Snowy 2.0 project overview.
Caption: Talbingo adit, where TBM Lady Eileen Hudson is being reassembled for excavation of the tailrace tunnel.
SNOWY HYDRO SUPPORT FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS
27/02/2023
Grants of up to $10,000 are now available for Snowy Mountains schools and community groups as part of Snowy Hydro’s ongoing commitment to the local region.
In addition to the biannual Community Grants Program, Snowy Hydro has launched an exciting initiative in 2023 – the Local School STEM Fund – to inspire and increase access to STEM-based learning opportunities for the next generation of local innovators.
Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said Snowy was dedicated to fostering education opportunities and career pathways for local young people with a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
“The Local School STEM Fund is a great way to support students in our area by giving them access to more learning and experience-based opportunities. Hopefully this will inspire kids to study further and seek a career in STEM fields, which is good news for Snowy Hydro as a major local employer,” Mr Barnes said.
“The launch of this fund is the latest addition to our ongoing commitment to STEM in the community – we have been been engaging with local schools, parents and children for more than six years with initiatives such as the Science of the Snowy competition, Next Generation Education Hub and, Tunnel Boring Naming Competition, to name a few.”
Applications for the new Local School STEM Fund are open until Friday 3 March. Local schools can apply for funding of up to $10,000 to support science, technology engineering and maths (STEM)-related excursions, student sponsorships, equipment and camps.
Round one of Snowy Hydro’s 2023 Community Grants Program is also open now and accepting applications for funding of up to $10,000 from eligible local organisations and community groups for projects, activities and events.
The application period closes on Wednesday 15 March and all grant applications are assessed against a standard set of criteria. There is a second round of grants available under the program starting in September this year.
Applications for both the Local School STEM Fund (by 3 March) and Community Grants Program (by 15 March) must be completed online via the Snowy Hydro website.
The National Electricity Market (NEM) is in the process of fundamental transformation – from baseload coal with some peaking assets to a complex, highly interconnected system with variable renewable energy backed by firming and storage. Snowy 2.0, with its massive 2,000 megawatts of generation and 350,000 megawatt hours of energy storage, is critical to Australia’s decarbonisation as it will help underpin the rapid transition to a fully renewable future.
Solid construction progress is occurring across a large number of Snowy 2.0 work fronts. At Lobs Hole, the Talbingo intake is well underway, the main access tunnel excavation by tunnel boring machine (TBM) Lady Eileen Hudson is completed and the emergency, cable and ventilation tunnel excavation by TBM Kirsten is close to completion.
Across the project, and as anticipated, the ground conditions encountered by the Snowy 2.0 TBMs are highly variable, ranging from soft, sandy ground to extremely hard rock. TBM Florence at Tantangara has been traversing a section of soft ground and is temporarily paused while plans to remediate a surface depression above the Tantangara adit (as reported on the Snowy Hydro website in December) are finalised.
Complex and variable ground conditions are not unusual in such projects. Snowy Hydro and the Snowy 2.0 EPC contractor, Future Generation Joint Venture, are focused on delivering the project safely and in a manner respectful of the sensitive environment, while managing impacts caused by external events including COVID-19, high material costs, global supply chain constraints, labour shortages across the Australian construction industry and ongoing weather conditions.
Commercial claims on construction projects are also common. As with other major infrastructure projects, Future Generation Joint Venture has experienced significant impacts from COVID, resourcing and supply chain challenges. Claims submitted to Snowy Hydro by the contractor continue to be assessed and paid appropriately, in accordance with contractual requirements.
Snowy Hydro’s BBB+ credit rating was reaffirmed by Standard & Poors in December. The move from stable to negative outlook primarily reflects forecast depressed earnings in FY2023 resulting from the critical role the company played during volatile market conditions in May to June 2022 and the potential project cost escalations for Snowy 2.0 and the Hunter Power Project owing to general market inflation and global supply chain issues. As Snowy’s earnings profiles become more certain, S&P will continue to monitor and assess Snowy’s outlook. At this stage, there are no current plans for any additional Shareholder equity beyond the current arrangements for Snowy 2.0 and Hunter Power Project.
The Snowy 2.0 budget is $5.9 billion and remains unchanged since the project approval. Snowy Hydro will continue to assess inflation and global supply chains moving forward.
SNOWY 2.0 RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT – FIND OUT MORE!
06/02/2023
Snowy 2.0, a huge pumped-hydro expansion of the mighty Snowy Scheme, is at the heart of Australia’s transition to a renewable energy future and this is your chance to find out more about the project at local information sessions.
Snowy Hydro will host the Snowy 2.0 community information sessions starting from Thursday 9 February, providing locals with opportunities to be updated, ask questions and provide feedback.
Hear from the Snowy 2.0 project team about:
Current project activities and news;
Traffic management and road safety initiatives;
Accommodation, recreation access and other local issues;
Jobs and training on Snowy 2.0.
New Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said construction of Snowy 2.0 was providing significant economic and social benefits right across the region.
“There are 2,200 people employed on the project and hundreds of millions of dollars are being invested locally, so it continues to be a very exciting time for communities throughout the Snowy Mountains,” Mr Barnes said. “I encourage everyone to come along to one of our sessions to hear the latest about Snowy 2.0, discuss any local concerns that you may have and answer your questions.”
Hosted by Snowy Hydro, the sessions will be attended by representatives from Future Generation Joint Venture, our Snowy 2.0 contractor building Snowy 2.0.
Talbingo and Tumbarumba will be drop-in sessions, with the chance to speak one-on-one with project team members, while there will be a formal presentation followed by community Q&As in Tumut, Cooma and Adaminaby.
Community information sessions schedule:
Thursday 9 February Talbingo shops 11.00am-2.00pm Thursday 9 February Club Tumut 6.00pm-7.30pm Friday 10 February Near Tumbarumba IGA, The Parade 11.00am-2.00pm Tuesday 28 February Cooma Ex-Services Club 6.00pm-7.30pm Wednesday 1 March Adaminaby Bowling Club 6.00pm-7.30pm
APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
18/01/2023
Snowy Hydro is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Dennis Barnes as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, effective 1 February 2023.
Chairman David Knox said the Board was delighted to appoint Mr Barnes to the role and is confident that he will continue to strengthen Snowy Hydro’s position as a leading integrated energy generator and retailer.
“We are thrilled to appoint someone of Dennis’ calibre and extensive energy sector experience to lead Snowy Hydro into the future,” Mr Knox said.
“Dennis has over three decades’ experience in the energy sector, with a focus on renewables and retail. His appointment brings a wealth of strategic knowledge and proven capability in delivering strong performance across large energy businesses at an exciting time for Snowy Hydro.”
Mr Barnes was most recently CEO of ASX/NZX-listed Contact Energy, guiding the company through a period of significant change, including the separation from Australian majority shareholder Origin Energy and the completion of a NZ$2billion investment programme encompassing renewable generation and enterprise-wide systems.
Prior to this, Mr Barnes also held several senior executive roles at Origin Energy, including as General Manager, Energy Risk Management and General Manager, Generation Operations; and he currently serves as a non-executive director of Tilt Renewables and Mercury NZ.
“I am excited about the prospect of working with the excellent team at Snowy Hydro, a truly iconic Australian business, at a complex and important time for our entire sector. I am also particularly looking forward to building strong connections with our stakeholders and the communities we serve and operate in, as we address the major issues our sector must focus on,” Mr Barnes said.
The appointment follows a comprehensive local and international executive search process. Roger Whitby, who has been Acting Chief Executive Officer since August will resume his role as Chief Operating Officer.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank Roger for his leadership, commitment and steady guidance during this period of transition for the company,” said Mr Knox.
[ends]
Dennis Barnes – brief overview of career history
Current: Non-executive director of Mercury Energy NZ and Tilt Renewables.
2011-2020: Chief Executive Officer of Contact Energy, a New Zealand-based electricity generator and retailer.
Completed a $2B investment program in renewable and flexible generation and enterprise-wide systems.
Successfully managed the change in ownership, including listing on the ASX.
Led significant turnaround and several major construction projects.
Optimised the asset portfolio, developing the best geothermal capability in New Zealand and highly innovative retail business.
1998-2011: various senior executive roles at Origin Energy
Prior roles at Scottish Power, Scottish & Southern Energy and Norweb in the United Kingdom
Snowy Hydro is proud to be supporting a Snowy Monaro Regional Council project providing new truck parking bays in Adaminaby.
Six 3-metre wide and 30-metre long sealed parking bays will be built on the Snowy Mountains Highway in Adaminaby, allowing heavy vehicles to safely stop for logbook, food and drink breaks.
Acting Snowy Hydro CEO Roger Whitby said a $188,000 contribution from Snowy Hydro would assist council in delivering an important improvement for the town.
“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Snowy Monaro Regional Council on the truck parking bays project,” Mr Whitby said.
“There is a lack of heavy vehicle parking areas between Cooma and Tumut, along with increased numbers of heavy vehicles passing through Adaminaby with the Snowy 2.0 project. So this is an opportunity to help with a really good legacy initiative that will benefit the town’s economy,” Mr Whitby said.
“Truck drivers taking a break in Adaminaby on their trips through the Snowy Mountains will have fit-for-purpose, sealed and lit bays to park their vehicles in.
“This improves safety for them and other road users, and means heavy vehicles will no longer need to park in residential areas of the town.”
The truck parking project, which is being conducted in consultation with Transport for NSW, will get underway early in 2023.
A temporary repair has been carried out to the area in front of the Big Trout statue in Adaminaby for long vehicle parking in the short-term.
In addition to the truck parking initiative, a separate council project will provide permanent parking facilities in Adaminaby that accommodate long vehicle parking for cars towing boats and caravans, along with recreational vehicles.
The two projects are scheduled for completion by April 2024, weather conditions permitting.
The Adaminaby parking projects are proudly funded by the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Fund, which is part of the $4.5 billion bushfire support program co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments for bushfire recovery, response and preparedness in NSW.
High inflows to the Snowy Scheme, including the Jindabyne catchment, have been experienced for more than 12 months and are continuing due to the late snow falls and wetter than usual weather conditions.
Lake levels are approaching 100% and continue to rise, so Snowy Hydro has consulted with NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE Water) to make pre-releases into the Snowy River below Jindabyne Dam from 1am Saturday 17 December 2022.
Pre-releases will be greater than the environmental releases notified on Snowy Hydro’s website and may change at short notice in response to the weather conditions. Releases are expected to remain below 2,000 megalitres per day, but could increase in response to further weather events.
If Lake Jindabyne reaches 100%, it will trigger the operation of the spillway gates. Dam safety is paramount, and the spillway gates will automatically release water whenever the storage reaches or exceeds 100%.
For the community the most important message is to stay safe and well informed. The public can stay updated about flood alerts here:
SNOWY HYDRO STATEMENT ON CLOUGH – UPDATED 16 December 2022
16/12/2022
Snowy Hydro welcomes the announcement by Webuild that it has reached an agreement with Clough Limited administrators to acquire Clough’s share of the Snowy 2.0 project contract and its related workforce.
Our priority remains ensuring the wellbeing and continuity of Clough’s workers on the project and the smooth progress of Snowy 2.0 construction.
We will continue to work closely with Webuild and the administrators throughout the acquisition process.
Snowy 2.0 teams are monitoring a surface depression that has emerged above the headrace tunnel at Tantangara.
The integrity of the tunnel has not been compromised, and tunnelling is continuing while work to remediate the surface depression above tunnel boring machine (TBM) Florence is carried out. There is a safety exclusion zone around the surface depression.
Ensuring the safety of the Snowy 2.0 workforce and members of the public is the priority for Snowy Hydro and principal contractor Future Generation Joint Venture.
The Snowy 2.0 teams are conducting geophysical investigations of the area and continuing grouting operations and probing from the TBM.
As previously indicated, the ground conditions encountered by the TBMs on Snowy 2.0 have been highly variable, ranging from very loose, sandy ground to extremely hard rock in fluctuating groundwater conditions.
TBM Florence is transitioning from soft material into harder rock conditions.
Snowy Hydro is aware of the announcement regarding the financial status of Clough, the Snowy 2.0 Future Generation Joint Venture partner.
Snowy Hydro notes Clough’s earlier financial disclosure indicates financial issues with projects separate and unrelated to Snowy 2.0.
As work continues on Snowy 2.0, Snowy Hydro’s first priority is ensuring the wellbeing and continuity of Clough’s workers on the project.
Snowy Hydro welcomes the immediate funding provided by joint venture partner Webuild for the payment of wages to all Clough employees working on the Snowy 2.0 project.
We are working closely with the joint venture to ensure construction on the project progresses smoothly.
Resolving Clough’s future through the voluntary administration process will take some time and Snowy Hydro will support this process wherever possible.
