Snowy 2.0, the 2,000 megawatt pumped hydro battery, was announced on 15 March 2017.
It was to be built by 2021, for $2 billion, fully funded by Snowy Hydro Ltd at no cost to the taxpayer, have minimal environmental impact, provide renewable energy and reduce electricity prices. None of those claims has eventuated.
The case for Snowy 2.0 doesn’t stack up economically, technically or environmentally. Simply, it is the wrong project in the wrong location. There are better alternatives, ones that avoid catastrophic impacts on Kosciusko National Park.
While NPA strongly supports a rapid shift to renewable energy to decarbonise the electricity sector and supports pumped hydro as a component of this shift, it opposes Snowy 2.0.
Take Action
Our campaigning to prevent the most damaging developments, the construction of overhead transmission lines as part of the Snowy 2.0 project, has reached the point where we have no alternative but to take the government to court! We have no choice now but to heavily invest in ensuring that the government is held to account and will do the right thing for our natural environments and supposedly protected areas.
Please partner with us and invest in the future of Kosciuszko National Park so that we can continue to enjoy the beautiful landscape and save our precious habitats, while demonstrating that our national parks are not grounds for commercial venture but for the flourishing of the native flora and fauna and the wellbeing of those who enjoy it.
NPA webinar: Snowy 2.0 vs Kosci: NPA court case
Webinar Presentation slides
Open Letters
Letter of support from NSW Independents
Open letters to the Prime Minister and NSW Premier, and the NSW Planning Minister and NSW Environment and Energy Minister from groups of eminent experts in the energy and environment sectors opposing Snowy 2.0.
18 Jan 2021 Letter to NSW Planning Minister and Environment and Energy Minister, with Background Paper and Addendum, from two dozen environmental groups and 50 experts, titled “Snowy 2.0 transmission must be underground”
6 Apr 2020 Letter to NSW Planning Minister and Environment and Energy Minister, from 17 environmental organisations and nine experts, titled “Approving the Snowy 2.0 EIS would have unprecedented environmental ramifications”
24 Mar 2020 Letter to Prime Minister and NSW Premier from 30 experts, titled “Expensive, damaging and unnecessary Snowy 2.0 must be publicly reviewed before proceeding”
17 Sep 2020 Letter to Prime Minister and NSW Premier, from 37 experts titled “Adverse revelations continue – Snowy 2.0 folly demands urgent review”
Research Papers
NPA Paper: Snowy 2.0 claims don’t stack up, 26 Feb 2020
NPA Paper: Snowy 2.0 Doesn’t Stack Up, 15 Oct 2019
Fact sheet: Snowy 2.0 Doesn’t Stack Up, 15 Oct 2019
Submissions
NPA Submission on HumeLink EIS 10 October 2023
HumeLink Stage 1 Contingent Project Application (to AER), 30 May 2022, submitting that the AER’s processing of TransGrid’s CPA should be placed on hold until the PACR and its preferred Option 3C are comprehensively assessed
NPA Paper on Snowy 2.0 Transmission Connection RTS/PIR, 31 Mar 2022, submitting that the RTS/PIR does not provide any basis for concluding that overhead transmission is the best option for connecting the Snowy 2.0 power station to the grid. Approval should be denied and a fresh set of SEARS issued for an underground connection.
Snowy 2.0 Main Works Modification, 6 Nov 2021, opposing the project but offering conditional support for the proposed Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) between Lobs Hole and Marica as it involves less environmental impact than the alternate overhead lines
Snowy 2.0 Transmission Connection Project EIS, 2 Apr 2021, opposing overhead line transmission
KNP Plan Of Management proposed amendment, 22 Mar 2021, strenuously opposing the proposed amendment to Section 12.6 of the Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management to exempt the Snowy 2.0 Project from the requirement that ‘all additional telecommunication and transmission lines (are) to be located underground’
Snowy 2.0 Main Works EIS, 6 Nov 2019, opposing the project
Exploratory Works EIS Modification 2, 21 Nov 2019, opposing the modification
Exploratory Works EIS Modification 1, 8 Jul 2019, opposing the fragmented approach to approving segments of the project
Snowy 2.0 Main Works Preferred Infrastructure Report, 20 Mar 2020, remaining firmly of the view that the environmental impacts of the proposal are entirely inappropriate in a protected area and that the Minister should deny project approval
NPA Judicial Review Summons, 17 Aug 2020, seeking orders to quash the approval of the Snowy 2.0
TV Segments
Snowy 2.0 tunnel-boring machine grinds to halt and hole appears on surface, ABC 7.30, 13 Feb 2023
Snowy 2.0 is massively over budget and running way behind schedule, ABC 7.30 Report, 17 June 2022
Critics of Snowy Hydro 2.0 say project could be a costly mistake, ABC 7.30 Report, 15 Oct 2019
Snowy Hydro 2.0 a costly white elephant that won’t deliver, says energy expert, ABC, 14 Oct 2019
Snowy Mountains Scheme, Utopia, 29 Aug 2014

Articles & Media Releases
NPA media releases
- Another environmental failure by Snowy 2.0 The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued yet another direction (https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/news/media-releases/2023/epamedia231204-snowy-hydro-issued-with-clean-up-notice-for-contaminated-soil ) to Snowy Hydro to stop polluting Kosciuszko National Park. The latest EPA…
- Snowy 2.0 Doesn’t Stack UpThe National Parks Association NSW (NPA) launched a short film exposing the destruction that the Snowy 2.0 project is inflicting on the unique and fragile…
- Snowy 2.0 repeatedly fined for polluting Kosciuszko National ParkThe Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a $15,000 fine to Snowy 2.0 contractor WeBuild S.P.A. for allowing 9000 litres of sediment-laden water to pollute…
Read More Snowy 2.0 repeatedly fined for polluting Kosciuszko National Park
- NPA takes court action against the Snowy 2.0 transmission connection The Land and Environment Court will hear the case by the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) against the previous NSW Government’s decision to allow…
Read More NPA takes court action against the Snowy 2.0 transmission connection
- Inquiry into undergrounding transmission welcomed but must include Snowy 2.0 National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) has welcomed NSW Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe launching an inquiry into the feasibility of using underground transmission connections…
Read More Inquiry into undergrounding transmission welcomed but must include Snowy 2.0
- Snowy 2.0 cutting corners, failing to comply with environmental approval conditionsThe National Parks Association today released a report exposing Snowy Hydro’s lack of compliance with the environmental Conditions of Approval for the Snowy 2.0 project,…
Read More Snowy 2.0 cutting corners, failing to comply with environmental approval conditions
- Call for audit of environmental impacts of Snowy 2.0 on Kosciuszko National Park In response to revelations about the environmental damage inflicted by Snowy Hydro’s bogged tunnel boring machine (see https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-13/snowy-2.0-tunnel-boring-machine-grinds-to-halt-and/101968974 ), the National Parks Association of NSW…
Read More Call for audit of environmental impacts of Snowy 2.0 on Kosciuszko National Park
- Kosciuszko National Park – it’s not a tipDocuments tabled in the NSW Legislative Council reveal that the NSW Government will only receive $1.65 million from Snowy Hydro Ltd for the dumping of…
- Submission Guide Snowy 2.0 Transmission ConnectionThe NSW Government has exhibited an Environmental Impact Statement to build massive transmission towers through Kosciuszko National Park. The proposed ‘overhead’ connection links the new…
Read More Submission Guide Snowy 2.0 Transmission Connection
- Protections for Kosciuszko National Park stripped away for Snowy 2.0The National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) has expressed outrage that the NSW Government plans to overturn the Plan of Management for Kosciuszko National Park. …
Read More Protections for Kosciuszko National Park stripped away for Snowy 2.0
- The Snowy 2.0 electricity connection must go undergroundTwenty four organisations and fifty expert engineers, scientists, environmentalists, academics and economists, are calling on Planning Minister Rob Stokes and Environment Minister Matt Kean to…
Read More The Snowy 2.0 electricity connection must go underground
- Another dud energy project approved by the NSW GovernmentYesterday’s approval of the Narrabri Gas project signals the demise of any pretense of objective environmental impact assessment in NSW.
- Experts confirm Snowy 2.0 is an economic dud and environmental disasterNew revelations confirm that Snowy 2.0 is an environmental and economic disaster. The NSW and Commonwealth were warned that the Business Case for the massive…
Read More Experts confirm Snowy 2.0 is an economic dud and environmental disaster
- Unlimited legal costs force withdrawal of Snowy 2.0 legal challengeThe National Parks Association of NSW, faced with exposure to unlimited legal costs, was forced to withdraw a legal challenge in the Land and Environment…
Read More Unlimited legal costs force withdrawal of Snowy 2.0 legal challenge
- CONFIRMED: Snowy 2.0 just doesn’t make senseThe most recent forecast by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO 2020 ISP) exposes the lie that vast areas of Kosciuszko National Park must be…
- Approval of Snowy 2.0 will decimate Kosciuszko National ParkToday’s approval by the Commonwealth Minister for Environment of the Snowy 2.0 project opens the way for an infrastructure white elephant that will decimate Kosciuszko…
Read More Approval of Snowy 2.0 will decimate Kosciuszko National Park
- Deeply flawed environmental approval process for Snowy 2.0 revealedThe National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) has questioned the Commonwealth Government’s ability to assess the environmental impact statement for the Snowy 2.0 Main Works…
Read More Deeply flawed environmental approval process for Snowy 2.0 revealed
- Top scientist’s resignation demands Snowy 2.0 rethink“The resignation of the Chair of the NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee, Associate Professor Mark Lintermans, puts a spotlight on the NSW Government’s refusal to take…
Read More Top scientist’s resignation demands Snowy 2.0 rethink
- NSW Government sells out Kosciuszko National ParkApproval of Snowy 2.0 EIS sets appalling precedents, and all for an inferior project “Today’s approval of the Snowy 2.0 construction project in Kosciuszko National…
- Snowy 2.0 doesn’t stack upGary Dunnett, Executive Officer, National Parks Association of NSW In Australia the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme stands head and shoulders above every other nation building…
- NSW Government must save Kosciuszko National ParkApproval of Snowy 2.0 EIS would set appalling precedents, and all for an inferior project “Despite the rapidly growing realisation that the massive Snowy 2.0 development…
- Approving the Snowy 2.0 EIS would have unprecedented environmental ramifications26 Environment Organisations and Eminent Experts Urge Refusal 26 environment organisations and environmental experts have called on the NSW Minister for Planning, Hon Rob Stokes,…
Read More Approving the Snowy 2.0 EIS would have unprecedented environmental ramifications
- Expensive, damaging and unnecessarySnowy 2.0 must be publicly reviewed before proceeding 30 eminent Australian energy, engineering, economic and environmental experts have called on the Prime Minister and NSW…
- Snowy 2.0 claims don’t ‘stack up’The National Parks Association of NSW today released a comprehensive research paper that found all of the claimed benefits of the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro…
- Snowy 2.0 to spread noxious fish and disease throughout Kosciuszko National Park and downstream riversScientific experts have warned that if the massive Snowy 2.0 pumped hydrodevelopment goes ahead it will spread noxious pests, weeds and diseasesthroughout the alpine river…
- Opposition to Snowy 2.0 swellsGrowing opposition to the unacceptable environmental impact, immense cost and dubious community benefits of the Snowy 2.0 project is proven by the recently released public…
- Snowy 2.0 will push up electricity pricesSnowy Hydro predicts electricity prices will rise due to Snowy 2.0 A Snowy Hydro report recently discovered by National Parks Association of NSW, predicts that…
- Does Snowy 2.0 ‘stack up’?In a word – NO! The National Parks Association of NSW today released a comprehensive research paper which demonstrates that the Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro…
External Media
The Australian Snowy ‘reset’ can’t hide profligate waste of taxpayer money
EPIC Cup favourites from the Snowy stable. Again.
Snowy 2 Much: How can a 2.2GW water battery be worth more than $12 billion?
Stop pumping cash down Snowy 2.0 drain, The Australian
$5.9bn and rising: Snowy 2.0 wrestles with delays and budget blowouts, The Guardian 18 Jun 2023
Major Snowy 2.0 tunnelling operation on hold after NSW government intervenes
The Australia: Why its time to cut our losses and forget Snowy shambles says Ted-Woodley 23 May 2023
The Australian: Six years of bungled billions time to cut losses on Snowy 2.0 23 Feb 2023
Snowy Hydro finally fesses up on delays to Snowy 2.0, and for Kurri Kurri too
Former energy boss sounds $10b warning on Snowy 2.0, AFR 15 Oct 2019
Five years on, Snowy 2.0 emerges as a $10 billion white elephant, SMH 15 Mar 2022
Snowy 2.0 Impacts
The potential impacts of Snowy 2.0 are staggering:
- 14 million cubic metres of excavated spoil, some of which contains asbestos and/or is acidic, will be dumped in Kosciuszko National Park.
- Major infrastructure, including the widening and construction of more than 100 km of roads and tracks are proposed throughout the project area. Some of which will destroy sensitive environmental and geological significant areas. Under normal circumstances these would not be allowed within a National Park, so why under Snowy 2.0?
- Two side-by-side high voltage transmission lines for 8 km through the Park, together with access tracks. Towers 70m tall, 52 wires, an easement swathe 120-140m wide, visible over 200 square kilometres.
- Snowy 2.0 requires a massive 10m diameter, water tunnel for 27 kms, plus another 20 kms of access tunnels. The tunnels will depress the water table in some sections by more than 50 m and have an impact for up to 2 kms either side of the tunnel. This will lead to montane streams and water dependant alpine bogs drying up, further impacting upon vulnerable habitats and native species. It will also lead to a reduction of inflows to Snowy reservoirs and downstream rivers. These river systems are already under threat from feral animals and global heating. Any works that threaten water quality and quantity must be avoided.
- Noxious pests, pathogens and weeds will be spread throughout the Snowy Scheme and downstream, including Redfin Perch (a Class One Noxious Pest) and aquatic weeds. These pests and weeds will be transported from Talbingo Reservoir up to pest-free Tantangara, the Upper Murrumbidgee catchment, and then to Eucumbene Dam and throughout the Snowy Scheme and into the downstream rivers – Murray, Snowy and Tumut. They will devastate native fish (and trout).
- The last remaining colony of critically endangered Stock Galaxias in Tantangara Creek will likely be extinguished by the Climbing Galaxias transferred up from Talbingo.
- Snowy Hydro claims that Snowy 2.0 is a renewable energy generator. It’s not. It’s simply a battery.
- Snowy 2.0 will be a net consumer of electricity, not a generator, with ‘round-trip’ losses of 30%, plus another 10% for transmission (two-ways).
- Snowy 2.0 is in the worst possible location, hundreds of kilometres from the major load centres of Sydney and Melbourne, and hundreds of kilometres from the generators powering the Snowy 2.0 pumps. This adds costs, $10 billion for 1,000km of 500kV double circuit transmission lines, and transmission losses.
- Not only is Snowy 2.0 environmental vandalism, it isn’t economic. The original $2 billion cost estimate is now expected to be over $10 billion, plus another $10 billion for transmission.
- The total cost of Snowy 2.0 will be paid for by Australian taxpayers and NSW electricity consumers.
- Snowy 2.0 is the worst project in the worst location

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