Pumped Hydro

Pumped Hydro

Too big to fail? Snowy 2.0 critics predict fresh cost blowouts, while others say it’s far too late to turn back
Critics fear interest, the cost of building connecting transmission, and other fees are creating a even bigger monster than Snowy Hydro to ready to admit.
Rachel Williamson

Apr 27, 2026

15
Storage

Fresh progress for eight-hour pumped hydro project proposed to help replace ageing coal plant
The pumped hydro energy storage plans proposed to help replace a nearly coal-fired generation plant have taken an important step forward.
Joshua S Hill

Apr 9, 2026

3
Storage

Snowy 2.0 budget to be exhausted in coming months, ratings agency says, as gas plant hit by new delays
Ratings agency warns of downgrades for Snowy Hydro, saying budget for Snowy 2.0 soon to be exhausted, and with more delays and cost overruns for Hunter gas.
Giles Parkinson

Mar 26, 2026

9
Commentary

Pumped hydro is vital to the future grid. So why does gas exploration get all the tax benefits?
When gas companies drill a dry hole, the tax system shares the loss; when pumped hydro companies drill a dry hole, they carry the cost alone.
Rick McElhinney

Feb 8, 2026

17
We need more hydro, Turnbull says: But would many smaller projects have been better than Snowy 2.0?
Malcolm Turnbull says more “simpler” pumped hydro needed as solar outpaces wind, and insists that Snowy 2.0 will deliver value despite delays and cost blowouts.
Giles Parkinson

Feb 6, 2026

14
Storage

“Bankable, critical:” State puts two pumped hydro energy storage projects on planning fast-track
Two multi-billion dollar pumped hydro energy storage projects declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure in race to cancel out coal.
Sophie Vorrath

Feb 6, 2026

1
Storage

Snowy 2.0 sets new tunnel boring machine to work, completes 46 underground concrete pours
Snowy 2.0 launches tunnel boring machine Monica, which it hopes will succeed where Florence has failed and get the huge pumped hydro project back on track.
Sophie Vorrath

Feb 2, 2026

4
Pumped Hydro

Hydro Tasmania’s first pumped hydro project back in the EPBC after expansion
The Cethana project has been on the drawing board as a Battery of the Nation project since 2019.
Rachel Williamson

Jan 15, 2026

6
Storage

Huge Queensland pumped hydro project gets federal green tick to begin stage one works
One of Australia’s biggest proposed pumped hydro projects has been given a federal green tick to undertake exploratory works in Queensland’s Gympie region.
Sophie Vorrath

Dec 19, 2025

11
Commentary

Tomago and beyond: Why Australia will celebrate Snowy 2.0 – someday
Snowy 2.0 is a century-scale asset in a world built on short cycles. It will continue operating long after today’s battery farms have been replaced many times
Rick McElhinney

Nov 30, 2025

8
Storage

Kidston becomes first pumped hydro project to be registered in Australia’s main grid in 40 years
Kidston pumped hydro plant enters AEMO management system, becoming the first pumped hydro plant to join Australia’s grid in more than 40 years.
Giles Parkinson

Nov 18, 2025

10
Storage

Australia’s second biggest battery shows signs of life, turning coal centre into massive battery bank
The second two gigawatt-hour battery to be built in the old coal town of Collie has started operations – part of an extraordinary transformation of the town into a massive storage bank.
Giles Parkinson

Nov 5, 2025

0