Snowy 2.0 Archives - Renew Economy

Commentary

In a solar-dominated electricity system, how do we cover night time and cloudy days?
We need a lot of long-duration energy storage and batteries to replace gas. That’s why pumped hydro is crucial, and why we shouldn’t write off Snowy 2.0 just yet.
Andrew Blakers

Nov 10, 2026

31
Policy & Planning

Snowy puts its hands out for government money, but hasn’t released business case to justify cost blowout
In previous resets, the government of the day and Snowy Hydro have touted the net present value of Snowy 2.0 – but not this time.
Peter Hannam

Oct 27, 2026

8
Commentary

“Reset 3.0” doesn’t answer the biggest questions about Snowy’s $25 billion-plus pumped hydro gamble
Engineering marvel or financial folly? We’ve been here before – a cost blowout and a delay to Snowy 2.0 – but is there a point of no return for this giant project?
Peter Hannam

Oct 23, 2026

14
Policy & Planning

“Very disappointing”: Snowy confirms pumped hydro costs double again to a possible $25bn, hit with more delays
The cost of Snowy 2.0 has doubled again, this time up to a potential $25 billion, with commissioning delayed by another year to the end of 2029.
Peter Hannam

Oct 22, 2026

20
Storage

Snowy starts laying concrete foundations for massive turbines a kilometre underground
Construction of the “hydroelectric station the size of the Sydney Opera House” has started laying concrete foundations nearly 1 km underground, Snowy Hydro says.
Sophie Vorrath

Sep 26, 2026

8
Policy & Planning

Labor slams Coalition’s “back of envelope” Snowy 2.0 estimates as wait continues for latest cost blowout
Federal Labor hits back at LNP criticism of Snowy 2.0 cost blowouts with a reminder that it was a Coalition government that signed off on the project based on “back of an envelope” calculations.
Sophie Vorrath

May 27, 2026

8
Commentary

Claims of huge new blow-outs to the Snowy 2.0 bill are just plain wrong
The latest, much-inflated price estimates Snowy 2.0 critics have come up with for the pumped hydro project are absurd. Here are some counterpoints to balance the ledger.
Andrew Blakers

May 1, 2026

41
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
Pumped Hydro

“Spartan work camps” and bad catering: Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro workers strike for more pay
Snowy 2.0 workers to strike, demanding higher pay to make up for poor conditions and food at the delayed and over budget project.
Rachel Williamson

May 20, 2025

3
Pumped Hydro

Another delay: Work stopped at all Snowy 2.0 tunnels over safety worries
Major pumped hydro project Snowy 2.0 is delayed again, this time due to worker safety concerns.
Rachel Williamson

Jan 29, 2025

6
Pumped Hydro

Snowy buys extra boring machine to support “disappointing” Florence as testing unearths more problems
A new boring machine will be operational by the end of 2025 and supplied by the same company that made the “disappointing” and frequently stuck Florence.
Rachel Williamson

Aug 26, 2024

0
Pumped Hydro

New consultation round opened for giant pumped hydro project
Queensland Hydro is setting up three different consultation avenues for locals to weigh in on the 2GW/24h Borumba project.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 10, 2024

0