Snowy Hydro expansion feasible, but may cost double
The Federal Government’s major expansion of the Snowy Hydro scheme is technically and financially viable, but could cost more than twice as much as first thought, according to a feasibility study.
The Tumut 3 power station at the Snowy Hydro Scheme in Talbingo. Photo: AAP/Lukas Coch
The study, released today, examined the project which aims to increase capacity of the iconic scheme by 50 per cent, making up to 2000 megawatts available to the national electricity market.
“The feasibility study clearly demonstrates that Snowy 2.0 is a viable pumped hydro project that will future-proof the national electricity market, helping stabilise the system and deliver lower prices,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said.
The study also found Snowy Hydro can finance the project itself using retained earnings and borrowing, but the initial price tag of about $2 billion has been upgraded to between $3.8 billion – $4.5 billion.
Following the report’s release, Snowy Hydro CEO Paul Broad said the projected return on investment will enable the company to fund the project.
“We’re not asking for taxpayers’ money. This will be paid within the Snowy balance sheet,” he told ABC TV.
Broad put the cost increase down to the need for more tunnel lining.
“The board is committed to doing $60 million worth of work in the next six months to refine those costs and we expect [the cost] is at the lower end of the spectrum,” he said.
“It’s expensive, but it stacks up economically.”
Labor is critical of the escalating cost, which it says doesn’t include the new transmission lines needed to make the project viable – tipped to be up to $2 billion.
“The total cost of Snowy 2.0 could be as high as $6.5 billion,” the Opposition’s energy spokesman Mark Butler said.
“Malcolm Turnbull needs to explain why he has misled the Australian people about this cost and why he got it so wrong.”
The multi-billion dollar project involves linking two large dams and expanding the iconic power generator’s capacity and storage ranges.
Turnbull says it will create a more affordable and reliable energy system while also generating 5000 direct and indirect jobs to boost the economy.
The first power generated from the project won’t be until late 2024, with the project involving a 200-metre long cavern requiring large amounts of rock to be excavated.
“As Snowy Hydro acknowledges, there are geological challenges but these can all be overcome as the 27km of tunnels and the underground powerhouse cavern are constructed,” Turnbull said.
Key findings of the feasibility study
THE EXPANSION could generate 2000 megawatts for the national electricity market.
SNOWY 2.0 could run for over seven days continuously or 15 days at times of peak demand without ‘recharging’.
THE FIRST power generated from Snowy 2.0 is expected in 2024.
THE PROJECT could cost between $3.8 – $4.5 billion.
– AAP
