Voith Hydro has been awarded a contract to equip the 2,000-MW Snowy 2.0 pumped storage plant in Australia with electrical and mechanical power plant components.

Snowy 2.0 is operated by Snowy Hydro Ltd. and will connect the two existing dams of the Snowy Scheme, Tantangara Dam and Talbingo Dam, through underground tunnels and an underground power station with pumping and generating capacity. The underground powerhouse will contain six reversible Francis-type pump turbines. The capacity of the plant is designed for 2,000 MW and allows 175 hours of storage. The first power out of Snowy 2.0 is expected as early as 2024.

The Future Generation Joint Venture (a Joint Venture between Salini Impregilo, Clough and Lane) and Voith signed the contract earlier this month.The order includes the supply of six reversible pump turbines, each with a rated output of 333 MW, three of which are variable speed. The order also includes six motor generators, the auxiliary systems and the complete power plant automation.

Australia has the opportunity to meet 100% of its energy needs with renewable energy, according to a press release. Currently, wind, solar and hydropower represent 17% of Australia’s total electricity generation. To further increase energy production from regenerative sources and at the same time to ensure grid stabilization, the country relies heavily on pumped storage technology. Pumped storage systems are currently the most economically viable and technically proven form of storing electrical energy on a large scale.

“Voith is very proud to be a part of this exciting and important hydropower project and to continue to contribute to Australia’s renewable energy development,” said Uwe Wehnhardt, president and chief executive officer of Voith Hydro.