Cloud seeding Archives

Following a comprehensive review, Snowy Hydro is permanently ceasing its cloud seeding program. This decision follows a review that determined the escalating costs of the program outweighed its benefits.

The review, initially announced in June of last year after a program pause in 2024, concluded that the escalating costs and resources required to continue the program would outweigh any benefits.

Increasing costs were primarily driven by Snowy Hydro’s existing cloud seeding equipment reaching the end of its operational life, meaning significant investment would be needed for it to be replaced.

Rising operational expenses for resourcing and fulfilling regulatory obligations also contributed to the decision.

Snowy Hydro will work with stakeholders to develop a decommissioning plan for equipment removal.

Further Information:

Snowy Hydro has conducted cloud seeding since 2004 to enhance snowfall under suitable conditions. The program was backed by scientific research, independent review, and its operation followed stringent environmental regulation.

For more information on Snowy Hydro’s cloud seeding operations to date, please visit: https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/generation/cloud-seeding/

Since 2004, Snowy Hydro has been conducting a successful cloud seeding program to enhance snowfall over the Snowy Mountains during suitable conditions in the cold months, increasing the amount of water available when the snow melts in spring to produce clean, renewable energy. Our cloud seeding program is backed by extensive scientific research, independent review and stringent environmental regulation.

This winter, Snowy Hydro is pausing cloud seeding operations as we undertake a program review.

Our cloud seeding infrastructure is approaching end of life and requires upgrading or replacement. Meanwhile, the cost of resourcing the program and meeting regulatory obligations is increasing.

During the break in operations in 2024 we will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the program, its ongoing return on investment and the resourcing requirements for cloud seeding to continue.

We will provide another update prior to winter 2025.

Cloud Seeding at Snowy Hydro:

• Snowy Hydro’s cloud seeding program began as a scientific trial in 2004 and following the success of the trial, moved to an operational program in 2013. Our cloud seeding operations are authorised by the Snowy Mountains Cloud Seeding Act 2004 (NSW) and are carried out in accordance with an Environmental Management Plan approved by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

• Snowy Hydro is authorised to conduct cloud seeding to enhance snowfall, not rain, over a 2,110 km2 target area in the Snowy Mountains. There is no evidence of an effect from cloud seeding on precipitation outside of the target area.

• Cloud seeding in the Snowy Mountains only occurs during the cold months when snow is likely to fall to elevations of at least 1,400 metres.

• Only weather systems that meet specific criteria are targeted for cloud seeding – typically cold fronts that bring blizzard-like conditions to the alpine areas.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE CLOUD SEEDING PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE