Snowy Hydro and HumeLink and VNI West

Question

1. During Senate Estimates on 26th of May, Mr Barnes said regarding Snowy 2.0's effect on prices: ''I think it will substantially reduce electricity prices in those periods where it's not windy and not sunny. In fact, in a week or so, we are releasing a study into the effect of Snowy 2.0 on the market once all of the coal plants have closed, and it has a very demonstrable effect on lowering prices.'' 2. Will the study include a counterfactual where coal stations remain open, and the necessary connecting transmission lines such as HumeLink and VNI West are avoided as a cost? 3. What fraction of Snowy Hydro 2.0's benefits would be able to be realised in the National Electricity Market if HumeLink was not built? 4. ?What fraction of Snowy Hydro 2.0's benefits would be able to be realised in the National Electricity Market if VNI West was not built?

Answer

Please see the attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000638.pdf (opens in a new tab)