Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has revealed the plans for the Snowy Hydro scheme’s $2 billion expansion, which will become a game changer for the power supply in the east coast.
The plan includes three new 27-kilometre tunnels as well as a number of power stations. The expansion will be increasing the scheme’s power output by 50 per cent which is enough to power half-a-million homes.
“The unprecedented expansion will help make renewables reliable, filling in holes caused by intermittent supply and generator outages. It will enable greater energy efficiency and help stabilise electricity supply into the future.
“By supercharging the Snowy Hydro precinct, we can ensure affordable and reliable electricity for Australian households and businesses,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also said that the project, still subject to environmental approvals and available funding, could begin construction in 2018.
A feasibility study is going to be conducted as soon as possible, with four sites already identified for the expansion – which will be examined for geological and economic impacts.
The expansion project is expected to create up to 500 jobs locally.
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Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, News.com.au and Sky News AU