SNOWY 2.0 Pumped storage hydropower
- Client
- Future Generation JV
- Country
- Australia
- Period
- 2019-2026
The Mission
Snowy 2.0 represents the largest committed renewable energy project in Australia, aiming to significantly boost the country’s clean energy capacity. The challenge was to deliver a technically complex pumped hydro energy storage system that integrates seamlessly with the existing Snowy Scheme and supports the evolving needs of the National Electricity Market.
The Solution
Tractebel contributed its engineering expertise by performing comprehensive design studies across all project phases—including Preliminary Design, Detailed Design, and Issued for Construction Design. These studies encompassed technical design reports, detailed calculations, technical specifications, full BIM Revit modelling, and detailed construction drawings. Tractebel also provided ongoing design support during the construction phase to ensure seamless implementation.
The Impact
Once operational, Snowy 2.0 will add 2,200 megawatts of dispatchable, on-demand generation capacity and approximately 350,000 megawatt-hours of large-scale energy storage. This will significantly enhance the reliability and flexibility of Australia’s National Electricity Market, supporting the integration of more renewable energy and contributing to a more sustainable energy future.
What a privilege to witness an idea become reality! When we started in 2019, Snowy 2.0 was just on paper. Today, massive machines are carving through the mountains to connect Tantangara and Talbingo reservoirs, creating a 2,200 MW pumped storage plant that will power Australia’s energy transition. Tractebel proudly leads the Design Joint Venture, and I’m incredibly proud of our dedicated teams on site, in Cooma, and across Europe.
Matthieu Beraud
Head of Water Business