The Snowy Mountains Scheme 2.0 promises to deliver more reliable renewable energy as old power stations are closed.
Turbines will generate 1/3 of eastern Australia’s renewable energy, but to make it happen, the hydro plant requires 9 power stations, 145 kilometres of pipelines and tunnels and major dams.
The scheme diverts the headwaters of the Snowy, Eucumbene and Murrumbidgee rivers through the trans-mountain tunnels into the Murray and Murrumbidgee valleys. The Snowy Hydro generates peak power when base load power stations are unable to meet demands of the grid, which links to all states except Western Australia.
The scheme is owned by the New South Wales Government with a 58% share, Federal Government with a 13% share and the Victorian Government with 29%.