Snowy 2.0 secures Federal environmental approval
Following the planning approval granted by the New South Wales Government in May, the massive Snowy Hydro project – commonly known as Snowy 2.0 – has now secured the Federal environmental approval, marking the end of the project’s planning phase.
With the Australian Government’s approval, Snowy 2.0 is now ready to move into the implementation stage and construction is anticipated to begin over the next two years.
“Just as the original Snowy Hydro project brought jobs and prosperity to Australia after the Second World War, Snowy 2.0 will help Australia grow its way out of the economic challenges from the coronavirus.
“Already Snowy 2.0 is creating a jobs boom, with over 100 local businesses benefiting from the government’s investment to date, with much more local investment to come,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
The project’s approval comes with several conditions that will help protect environmental assets such as native fish.
Snowy Hydro is also required to invest about $100 million in biodiversity and environmental works, including an offset fund of approximately $73.8 million through the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services for the protection of threatened species.
“The approval process ensures the development is built and operated in a way that sensitively avoids, mitigates and rehabilitates environmental impacts while protecting the environment and its rich biodiversity as we move to a clean energy future,” Environment Minister Sussan Ley said.
Source: Snowy Hydro
The Snowy 2.0 project will involve linking two existing dams – Tantangara and Talbingo – with 27-kilometre-long tunnels and the construction of a new underground power station.
Once operational, Snowy 2.0 will be able to provide an additional 2,000MW of generation capacity as well as about 350,000MW of storage capacity which is enough to power up to 500,000 homes in a week.
Snowy 2.0 is also anticipated to create up to 4,000 jobs over the life of the project.
In April 2019, Future Generation – a joint venture between Clough and Salini Impreglio – was awarded a $5.1 billion contract to undertake engineering, procurement and construction of the Snowy 2.0 project. You can read more about it here.
Construction on the project is due to be completed in 2027.
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Source: The Sydney Morning Herald; News.com.au; Renew Economy; The Guardian; Snowy Hydro
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