By Lynda Myer
After NSW government approval for the project’s planning modification, tunneling of the Snowy 2.0 headrace adit at Tantangara has restarted.
In previous week first progress of Florence TBM was commenced, while excavation is being conducted in closed (slurry) mode and advance is slow and steady. In order to managing this process, the project has engaged specialist experienced personnel.
Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes welcomed the milestone, which comes after a delay caused by soft ground conditions and the emergence of a sinkhole above TBM Florence.
“We were very pleased to receive the green light for tunneling at Tantangara to recommence and to allow remediation of the subsidence area. The conditions of approval were developed through the extensive review, public consultation and determination process, and will be strictly adhered to as we get back underway with excavation of the tunnel,” Mr Barnes said.
He also added: “The Snowy 2.0 delivery team is acutely aware of its responsibilities working in the sensitive environment of Kosciuszko National Park. We are focused on achieving excellent environmental outcomes throughout construction of this pumped-hydro expansion of the Snowy Scheme and critical infrastructure for Australia’s transition to renewable energy.”
Considering that the project’s western boundary above the TBM at Tantangara expands the modification approval, this will enable close monitoring of surface conditions as TBM Florence advances. Additionally, the plan is continuing surface monitoring until there is at least 100 meters of overburden (distance from the TBM to the surface).
In preparation for the restart of tunneling at Tantangara, extensive geotechnical investigations were carried out on the headrace adit alignment, along with ground improvement works.
Elsewhere on the project:
- Digging the tailrace tunnel, the Snowy 2.0 project continues to make good progress at Talbingo. Following its relaunch in July, TBM Lady Eileen Hudson has excavated almost 1,000 meters.
- Snowy 2.0’s six pumped-hydro units is under construction that is due to produce up to 2,200 megawatts of power for Australia’s electricity grid is in full swing.
- Five of the six 153-ton spiral cases have been manufactured, along with four draft tube liners and cones, three main inlet valves and other major power station components, including the first turbine runner. One of the 13-meter-long, 7.5-meter-wide spiral cases was recently delivered to Lobs Hole, making a 442-km night time journey from Port Kembla to the Snowy Mountains.
