The New South Wales Government has declared Snowy 2.0 as a Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) project.
The declaration signifies the critical role the Snowy 2.0 project, together with the upgrades to the NSW transmission network, will play in providing reliable energy and large-scale storage to NSW as we transition to a low emissions economy.
The CSSI declaration is not final approval for the project, but is a framework that sets out the robust environmental assessment and approval process required for the Snowy 2.0 project.
CEO of Snowy Hydro CEO Paul Broad said the CSSI declaration gives the company a very clear and transparent process to follow.
“Like any other project, we are preparing comprehensive environmental impact statements which will include a range of scientific and technical studies to be carefully scrutinised by the NSW Government,” he said.
“We have the greatest respect for the Kosciuszko National Park. It’s our backyard and for almost 70 years we have been excellent responsible environment managers operating the existing Scheme across the region.
“The project’s design is being done in a way that minimises its environmental footprint.
“This includes putting the majority of the physical structures, such as tunnels and the powerstation deep underground.”
The EIS will detail the components of the project, the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of Snowy 2.0 and how to best manage them.
As part of the EIS, Snowy Hydro will undertake thorough community consultation so that the wider community can have input into the process.
