Snowy Hydro 2.0 has reached a milestone in the development of the Talbingo intake, with 500,000 cubic metres now excavated.
The intake is where water will exit and enter the tailrace tunnel, connecting the lower Talbingo reservoir to the underground power station.
Excavation of the Marica surge shaft has reached 95m. Now, mechanical excavation including rock breakers and excavators continues, with drill and blast methods also being used.
Once complete, the 28m wide and 250m deep surge shaft will be used for water storage and pressure relief when the power station starts up, and to absorb the momentum.
The Marica surge shaft will be one of the largest shafts of its type in the world
Excavation of the gate shaft at Tantangara is complete, with drill and blast work to excavate the transition tunnels linking it and the intake well advanced.
The gate shaft is used to stop and start the flow of water into the headrace tunnel and power station for maintenance purposes or in the case of an emergency.
In 2019, Snowy Hydro commenced construction of the Snowy 2.0 project, which will link two existing dams, Tantangara and Talbingo, through a 27km underground tunnel and a new underground power station.
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