Tunnel boring machine (TBM) Lady Eileen Hudson has broken through into the Snowy 2.0 underground cavern complex, completing its tunnelling operations on Australia’s largest renewable energy project.
The breakthrough marks the completion of the 2,300 tonne machine’s work on the project. TBM Lady Eileen Hudson previously excavated a 2.85km access tunnel before completing the 6km tailrace tunnel, which will connect Snowy 2.0’s underground power station to Talbingo Dam.
Future Generation Joint Venture (FGJV), led by Webuild, is the principal contractor delivering the project for Snowy Hydro.
Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said the breakthrough reflected growing momentum across the project despite difficult geological conditions.
“There’s nothing more exciting on a tunnelling project than a breakthrough. Even more so with Snowy 2.0 because the geology we’re working with is extremely challenging,” Barnes said. “The ground under the Snowy Mountains is making us work for every metre, but like the original Snowy Scheme, it’s inspiring to see what Australia can achieve when we take on the hardest tasks.”
FGJV Project Director Fabrizio Lazzarin said the milestone demonstrated the capability of the workforce delivering the project.
“Successfully navigating the challenging geology of the Snowy Mountains and completing this stage of tunnelling is a significant achievement for the entire workforce,” he said. “This milestone reflects the collaboration, innovation and engineering expertise being applied every day across Snowy 2.0 as we help deliver a project that will support Australia’s energy future for generations to come.”
Snowy Hydro said the focus of the project is now shifting towards construction of the underground power station, located almost 1km below ground.
Further tunnelling work is continuing across the project. TBM Florence is approaching the halfway point of its 15km drive after overcoming earlier performance issues, while TBM Monica is excavating through the Long Plain Fault Zone from the opposite end of the alignment. The two TBMs are expected to meet underground before being dismantled.
Barnes said Florence was now “consistently achieving personal bests”. He said the project’s progress reflected the work of its approximately 5,000-strong workforce.
“Snowy 2.0’s people are proud of the work they’re delivering, the way they’re solving problems and delivering incredible feats of engineering every day,” Barnes said. “They’re also proud of the legacy their work is creating for Australia.
“Just like the original Snowy Scheme, the project is difficult and not without its setbacks. But when we’re done, we’ll have an incredible asset owned by every Australian to underpin energy reliability and security for generations.”
