Snowy Mountains Scheme: Cost and Legacy of Australia's Hydro-Electric Megaproject

The Snowy Mountains Scheme (1949–1974) is Australia's largest engineering project, comprising:

• 16 major dams
• 7 power stations (2 underground)
• 225 km (140 mi) of tunnels, pipelines, and aqueducts
• 80 km of aqueducts

Cost

Total expenditure: A$820 million (1974 dollars). Adjusted for inflation, this equals roughly A$6–7 billion today.

Funding & Workforce

• Financed by the Australian Government via the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Power Act 1949.
• Employed 100,000+ workers from over 30 countries—post-war migrants who transformed Australia's demographics.
• 121 workers died during construction.

Outputs & Benefits

• Hydroelectricity: 3,756 MW capacity (peak); ~4,500 GWh/year average generation.
• Water Diversion: Redirects Snowy River water westward to the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers for irrigation (food bowl of Australia).
• Recreation/Tourism: Lakes (Eucumbene, Jindabyne), skiing, fishing.

Modern Upgrade

Snowy 2.0 (under construction, ~A$5.9B) adds 2,000 MW pumped hydro storage, linking Tantangara and Talbingo reservoirs—enhancing grid stability for renewables.