Pumped Hydro

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
Pumped Hydro

Marinus needed to save Tasmania from next drought, says head of state hydro generator
The last two years of record dry periods has put Tasmania on notice that in future it will need power from Victoria just as much as being the mainland’s battery.
Rachel Williamson

Nov 4, 2025

14
Renewables

Tasmania wind blows hard in October, as renewables beat coal again and batteries beat pumped hydro
Renewables beat coal again, batteries beat pumped hydro, and Tasmania trumps the mainland as fossil fuel share slumps below 50 pct over a month for first time.
Giles Parkinson

Nov 3, 2025

6
Storage

“Hard to defend:” Snowy says its bidding strategy hit by line upgrades for super battery
Snowy says line upgrades and constraints for Australia’s most powerful battery left it unable to defend its own portfolio, leading to lower profits.
Giles Parkinson

Oct 13, 2025

3
Commentary

Snowy 2.0 cost blowouts might be OK if the scheme stored power more cheaply than batteries. But it won’t
Batteries may cost more to install, but they will be used much more intensively than Snowy 2.0 and their average costs will be lower.
Bruce Mountain

Oct 8, 2025

21