| Australasia


and current market conditions affecting major infrastructure projects, the review will take up to nine months and will be verified by independent construction cost experts. Currently 67% complete, the project is still reported as remaining on schedule for completion in December 2028. Back in 2023, Snowy Hydro undertook an extensive


review and reset process for its flagship project. Consequently, unveiling a new completion date of December 2028, its revised total cost also increased to A$12 billion which it claimed reflected the cumulative impact of various external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, labour shortages, disruptions in global shipping and supply chains, inflation in construction materials and labour costs, as well as design complexity. Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said Snowy 2.0 has generally been progressing well since the 2023 project reset. And although the reset had been successful in getting the project moving again by creating a more collaborative relationship with the principal contractor and achieving safe progress, she admitted the productivity uplift hasn’t been to the degree needed. Various costs are cited as increasing pressure on Snowy 2.0 since the reset and include: Costs associated with not meeting contractor productivity targets. These have been caused by delays from TBM stoppages in 2024, work stoppages associated with safety concerns and general productivity underperformance. Costs of challenging geology - a fourth TBM will be used to derisk challenging geological conditions, but this cost can no longer be absorbed by the project. Supply chain cost increases. Describing the need to reassess Snowy 2.0’s cost as disappointing, Barnes said the project still has a critically important role to play as a cornerstone of Australia’s energy transition.


Gathering down under Home to Snowy Hydro 2.0, New South Wales is also


set to host to the next World Hydropower Congress during April 2027. Following a successful bid by Business Events Sydney (BESydney), the International Hydropower Association’s flagship event for the hydro sector will take place there. “Hydropower and landmark projects like Snowy 2.0, highlight Australia’s commitment to renewable energy, innovation and economic growth. We look forward to welcoming global hydropower leaders and international delegates to Sydney for the Global Hydropower Congress in 2027,” Amanda Lampe, Chief Executive Officer of BESydney stated. “Business events are powerful platforms for collaboration, and this conference will not only shape the future of hydropower but also deliver enduring benefits for the local community and the NSW economy.” Described as being a driving force behind pumped


storage development across the country, President of the IHA and former Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, says he is delighted Australia is hosting the congress.


“Our nation has long been at the forefront of the global clean energy transition, and this Congress will showcase how hydropower – and particularly pumped storage – is vital to delivering reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity worldwide,” he added. Convening leaders from governments, industry,


finance, and civil society, the World Hydropower Congress drives forward policies, commitments and solutions to unlock sustainable hydropower growth and accelerate progress towards net zero. BESydney anticipates the Congress will attract more than 700 delegates from across the globe, generating an estimated A$2.7 million in direct expenditure for the local economy.


Shared water challenges The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and


the World Bank have launched a new partnership to strengthen knowledge sharing and collaboration on transboundary water management. It brings together the MDBA’s experience in managing Australia’s largest river system, with the World Bank’s global knowledge on innovative financing in shared river basins. MDBA Chief Executive, Andrew McConville, said the partnership was an opportunity to share insights from Australia’s federal approach to water governance and for the World Bank’s client countries to observe a functioning example of work in progress. “Australia understands firsthand the need to adapt


to a varying and unpredictable climate, and we have a long history of difficult water reform to draw from,” he said.


Spanning four states and the Australian Capital


Territory, the Murray–Darling Basin covers diverse landscapes and experiences extreme climates. The MDBA says the lessons it has learned from building institutions, frameworks and partnerships can provide valuable perspectives for other countries who are managing shared water resources, addressing basin- scale and transboundary water planning, and dealing with floods and drought, water quality, water use efficiency and pollution control. “Managing rivers across borders is one of the defining challenges of our time,” says World Bank, Planet Vice President, Juergen Voegele. “By working together we can support countries to strengthen governance and build resilience.”


River Murray Award The JS Collings Trophy has been awarded almost


annually since 1943, in honour of the inaugural President of the River Murray Commission. It’s awarded to the best maintained asset in the River Murray system which can include major storages, locks, weirs or barrages. It also serves as a nod of acknowledgement to the good work done by managers and their staff when maintaining the structures and surrounding areas through landscaping schemes and bank protection works etc. In 2025, WaterNSW’s operations and maintenance


team at Menindee Lakes was recognised for excellence in asset maintenance and operations. Team members were congratulated for their high standards in maintaining on-site infrastructure safely and efficiently, whilst also completing major maintenance work. “Menindee is a significant storage for the basin and a critical part of the River Murray system – it’s in great hands,” MDBA General Manager of Assets, Angus Paton said, commending the WaterNSW team for their leadership in improving dam safety and asset reliability. Paton added that the value of site staff cannot be understated because they are the eyes on the ground – constantly monitoring, maintaining and responding to challenges to keep assets operating safely and effectively.


Below: Maintaning the Menindee Lakes


Above: Talbingo Dam in New South Wales, Australia © crbellette / Shutterstock.com


Above: North Pine Dam was built in 1976 in southeast Queensland


Below: Lake Pukaki is New Zealand’s largest hydro storage lake


www.waterpowermagazine.com | December 2025 | 23


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