The planning modification for the Hunter Power Project (HPP) has been amended, and the power station is expected to begin operations in December 2024 with one generator running on diesel during the testing and commissioning phase.
The second unit and gas introduction will follow shortly afterwards, with full operations expected within a few months of commencement.
Snowy Hydro said that while the project’s planning modification has proposed increasing diesel operating hours to 1100 per unit for 2025, it does not currently expect HPP to operate entirely on diesel in 2025. The purpose of the modification is to provide for the current anticipated completion of the gas pipeline to March 2025, plus appropriate program contingency to ensure the power station can still generate energy in the event of any further delays to the gas pipeline or to the project’s commissioning program.
HPP’s gas pipeline is being delivered by APA Group and is independent of Snowy Hydro’s delivery of the power station.
Snowy Hydro has updated some of the information submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
The utility said that this update was needed as some of the previous information was inaccurate and did not reflect its intentions around contingency planning being one of the drivers of the modification.
Snowy Hydro said that once fully operational, HPP will primarily run on gas, using diesel as backup. Gas remains crucial for meeting peak demand and supporting Australia’s renewable energy transition.
Featured image: Snowy Hydro.
