Latest news with #SnowyHydro
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- General
- The Advertiser
Apology for diesel pollution as Kurri power plant fires-up for next round of testing
Snowy Hydro has apologised for allowing diesel fumes to spew across the Lower Hunter communities during the first round of testing of the new $2 billion Hunter Power Project. But it has warned there may be more foul odours to come when it starts testing with gas this week. Residents from Kurri Kurri to Belmont, Newcastle and West Wallsend said they smelt a strong, burning diesel-like smell on July 8 and 9. Some reported burning eyes and breathing issues. Testing was stopped following the widespread complaints. "We sincerely apologise for not meeting community expectations regarding providing information about the testing more broadly across the region," Snowy Hydro said in a statement. Gas, the 660-megawatt plant's primary fuel, will be used for the next round of testing, which will commence on Monday. Snowy Hydro warned there may be a potential plume and associated noise and odour when the turbine starts up again. "While these impacts will only last a short period and will be dependent on weather conditions at the time of testing, we have also increased the level of air monitoring outside the site boundary," the company said. "The nature of turning on a brand new generator for the first time means there is uncertainty regarding how it will perform as we fine-tune the turbines so they operate efficiently when we switch to full operations." A NSW Environment Protection Authority spokesman said the agency's investigation into the first pollution incident was ongoing. He said the EPA was finalising a review of Snowy Hydro's additional control measures to manage emissions and ensure the community was adequately consulted. "We are pleased Snowy Hydro has committed to increasing the amount of monitoring and has strengthened community engagement," he said. "As part of its Environment Protection Licence for the site, the power station is required to conduct continuous emissions monitoring, including during this commissioning phase, where emissions are usually higher than normal operation." EPA officers will monitor the commissioning work, including conducting odour surveys in the area while the commissioning is undertaken. Once fully tested, the efficiency of the turbines will result in significantly reduced emissions. Testing will be undertaken at night and is expected to take six to eight weeks. Improvements to noticeable emissions and odour are expected each week as the commissioning process progresses. The Hunter Power Project was originally intended to be built in time for the closure of the Liddell coal-fired power station in April 2023. It is expected that the peaking plant will be used for only about 5 per cent of the time once it is fully operational. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with Hunter MPs, committed an additional $700 million towards the green hydrogen project on the eve of the 2022 federal election. Labor had hoped to start running the plant on 30 per cent green hydrogen from day one and ramp up to 100 per cent by 2030. While the plant's open-cycle gas turbines have been designed to allow for a 15 per cent hydrogen-gas blend, it quickly became apparent that the green hydrogen dream was technically impossible within the proposed timeframe. Snowy Hydro has apologised for allowing diesel fumes to spew across the Lower Hunter communities during the first round of testing of the new $2 billion Hunter Power Project. But it has warned there may be more foul odours to come when it starts testing with gas this week. Residents from Kurri Kurri to Belmont, Newcastle and West Wallsend said they smelt a strong, burning diesel-like smell on July 8 and 9. Some reported burning eyes and breathing issues. Testing was stopped following the widespread complaints. "We sincerely apologise for not meeting community expectations regarding providing information about the testing more broadly across the region," Snowy Hydro said in a statement. Gas, the 660-megawatt plant's primary fuel, will be used for the next round of testing, which will commence on Monday. Snowy Hydro warned there may be a potential plume and associated noise and odour when the turbine starts up again. "While these impacts will only last a short period and will be dependent on weather conditions at the time of testing, we have also increased the level of air monitoring outside the site boundary," the company said. "The nature of turning on a brand new generator for the first time means there is uncertainty regarding how it will perform as we fine-tune the turbines so they operate efficiently when we switch to full operations." A NSW Environment Protection Authority spokesman said the agency's investigation into the first pollution incident was ongoing. He said the EPA was finalising a review of Snowy Hydro's additional control measures to manage emissions and ensure the community was adequately consulted. "We are pleased Snowy Hydro has committed to increasing the amount of monitoring and has strengthened community engagement," he said. "As part of its Environment Protection Licence for the site, the power station is required to conduct continuous emissions monitoring, including during this commissioning phase, where emissions are usually higher than normal operation." EPA officers will monitor the commissioning work, including conducting odour surveys in the area while the commissioning is undertaken. Once fully tested, the efficiency of the turbines will result in significantly reduced emissions. Testing will be undertaken at night and is expected to take six to eight weeks. Improvements to noticeable emissions and odour are expected each week as the commissioning process progresses. The Hunter Power Project was originally intended to be built in time for the closure of the Liddell coal-fired power station in April 2023. It is expected that the peaking plant will be used for only about 5 per cent of the time once it is fully operational. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with Hunter MPs, committed an additional $700 million towards the green hydrogen project on the eve of the 2022 federal election. Labor had hoped to start running the plant on 30 per cent green hydrogen from day one and ramp up to 100 per cent by 2030. While the plant's open-cycle gas turbines have been designed to allow for a 15 per cent hydrogen-gas blend, it quickly became apparent that the green hydrogen dream was technically impossible within the proposed timeframe. Snowy Hydro has apologised for allowing diesel fumes to spew across the Lower Hunter communities during the first round of testing of the new $2 billion Hunter Power Project. But it has warned there may be more foul odours to come when it starts testing with gas this week. Residents from Kurri Kurri to Belmont, Newcastle and West Wallsend said they smelt a strong, burning diesel-like smell on July 8 and 9. Some reported burning eyes and breathing issues. Testing was stopped following the widespread complaints. "We sincerely apologise for not meeting community expectations regarding providing information about the testing more broadly across the region," Snowy Hydro said in a statement. Gas, the 660-megawatt plant's primary fuel, will be used for the next round of testing, which will commence on Monday. Snowy Hydro warned there may be a potential plume and associated noise and odour when the turbine starts up again. "While these impacts will only last a short period and will be dependent on weather conditions at the time of testing, we have also increased the level of air monitoring outside the site boundary," the company said. "The nature of turning on a brand new generator for the first time means there is uncertainty regarding how it will perform as we fine-tune the turbines so they operate efficiently when we switch to full operations." A NSW Environment Protection Authority spokesman said the agency's investigation into the first pollution incident was ongoing. He said the EPA was finalising a review of Snowy Hydro's additional control measures to manage emissions and ensure the community was adequately consulted. "We are pleased Snowy Hydro has committed to increasing the amount of monitoring and has strengthened community engagement," he said. "As part of its Environment Protection Licence for the site, the power station is required to conduct continuous emissions monitoring, including during this commissioning phase, where emissions are usually higher than normal operation." EPA officers will monitor the commissioning work, including conducting odour surveys in the area while the commissioning is undertaken. Once fully tested, the efficiency of the turbines will result in significantly reduced emissions. Testing will be undertaken at night and is expected to take six to eight weeks. Improvements to noticeable emissions and odour are expected each week as the commissioning process progresses. The Hunter Power Project was originally intended to be built in time for the closure of the Liddell coal-fired power station in April 2023. It is expected that the peaking plant will be used for only about 5 per cent of the time once it is fully operational. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with Hunter MPs, committed an additional $700 million towards the green hydrogen project on the eve of the 2022 federal election. Labor had hoped to start running the plant on 30 per cent green hydrogen from day one and ramp up to 100 per cent by 2030. While the plant's open-cycle gas turbines have been designed to allow for a 15 per cent hydrogen-gas blend, it quickly became apparent that the green hydrogen dream was technically impossible within the proposed timeframe. Snowy Hydro has apologised for allowing diesel fumes to spew across the Lower Hunter communities during the first round of testing of the new $2 billion Hunter Power Project. But it has warned there may be more foul odours to come when it starts testing with gas this week. Residents from Kurri Kurri to Belmont, Newcastle and West Wallsend said they smelt a strong, burning diesel-like smell on July 8 and 9. Some reported burning eyes and breathing issues. Testing was stopped following the widespread complaints. "We sincerely apologise for not meeting community expectations regarding providing information about the testing more broadly across the region," Snowy Hydro said in a statement. Gas, the 660-megawatt plant's primary fuel, will be used for the next round of testing, which will commence on Monday. Snowy Hydro warned there may be a potential plume and associated noise and odour when the turbine starts up again. "While these impacts will only last a short period and will be dependent on weather conditions at the time of testing, we have also increased the level of air monitoring outside the site boundary," the company said. "The nature of turning on a brand new generator for the first time means there is uncertainty regarding how it will perform as we fine-tune the turbines so they operate efficiently when we switch to full operations." A NSW Environment Protection Authority spokesman said the agency's investigation into the first pollution incident was ongoing. He said the EPA was finalising a review of Snowy Hydro's additional control measures to manage emissions and ensure the community was adequately consulted. "We are pleased Snowy Hydro has committed to increasing the amount of monitoring and has strengthened community engagement," he said. "As part of its Environment Protection Licence for the site, the power station is required to conduct continuous emissions monitoring, including during this commissioning phase, where emissions are usually higher than normal operation." EPA officers will monitor the commissioning work, including conducting odour surveys in the area while the commissioning is undertaken. Once fully tested, the efficiency of the turbines will result in significantly reduced emissions. Testing will be undertaken at night and is expected to take six to eight weeks. Improvements to noticeable emissions and odour are expected each week as the commissioning process progresses. The Hunter Power Project was originally intended to be built in time for the closure of the Liddell coal-fired power station in April 2023. It is expected that the peaking plant will be used for only about 5 per cent of the time once it is fully operational. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with Hunter MPs, committed an additional $700 million towards the green hydrogen project on the eve of the 2022 federal election. Labor had hoped to start running the plant on 30 per cent green hydrogen from day one and ramp up to 100 per cent by 2030. While the plant's open-cycle gas turbines have been designed to allow for a 15 per cent hydrogen-gas blend, it quickly became apparent that the green hydrogen dream was technically impossible within the proposed timeframe.
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Body found near wreckage of Snowy Mountains plane crash
The body of a man believed to be a missing pilot has been found near the wreckage of a plane crash. Police said they discovered the body near the crash site in the Snowy Mountains in NSW at around 3pm. "While he is yet to be formally identified, police believe the body is that of the missing pilot," police said on Friday. Officers remain at the crash site near the small town of Khancoban. Poor weather hampered the search for the plane after it was reported missing on Tuesday but the inter-agency operation eventually found the wreckage about 4pm on Thursday. "You wouldn't recognise it as an aeroplane," NSW Police Superintendent Andrew Spliet said of the wreckage. "It's a significant impact, a fair bit of speed into the mountain range which has completely destroyed that aircraft. "It wouldn't be survivable," he told reporters earlier on Friday. The search and subsequent recovery operation has involved helicopters from both NSW and Victoria along with SES, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Snowy Hydro and alpine specialist staff. The aircraft was on a private flight from Wangaratta in Victoria to Moruya on the NSW South Coast on Tuesday, and was reported missing when it did not arrive. A Beechworth Debonair light plane was last recorded on GPS near Dargals Trail in the Kosciuszko National Park. The impact of Tuesday's poor weather and whether flight warnings were in place will form part of the investigation into the crash, Supt Spliet said. A report for the coroner is also being prepared. Australia's aviation safety watchdog also announced it had begun an investigation into the crash and would provide a preliminary report in about two months. Tracking data, weather information and maintenance records will all form part of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's probe. "Should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so safety action can be taken," the bureau said in a statement. The body of a man believed to be a missing pilot has been found near the wreckage of a plane crash. Police said they discovered the body near the crash site in the Snowy Mountains in NSW at around 3pm. "While he is yet to be formally identified, police believe the body is that of the missing pilot," police said on Friday. Officers remain at the crash site near the small town of Khancoban. Poor weather hampered the search for the plane after it was reported missing on Tuesday but the inter-agency operation eventually found the wreckage about 4pm on Thursday. "You wouldn't recognise it as an aeroplane," NSW Police Superintendent Andrew Spliet said of the wreckage. "It's a significant impact, a fair bit of speed into the mountain range which has completely destroyed that aircraft. "It wouldn't be survivable," he told reporters earlier on Friday. The search and subsequent recovery operation has involved helicopters from both NSW and Victoria along with SES, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Snowy Hydro and alpine specialist staff. The aircraft was on a private flight from Wangaratta in Victoria to Moruya on the NSW South Coast on Tuesday, and was reported missing when it did not arrive. A Beechworth Debonair light plane was last recorded on GPS near Dargals Trail in the Kosciuszko National Park. The impact of Tuesday's poor weather and whether flight warnings were in place will form part of the investigation into the crash, Supt Spliet said. A report for the coroner is also being prepared. Australia's aviation safety watchdog also announced it had begun an investigation into the crash and would provide a preliminary report in about two months. Tracking data, weather information and maintenance records will all form part of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's probe. "Should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so safety action can be taken," the bureau said in a statement. The body of a man believed to be a missing pilot has been found near the wreckage of a plane crash. Police said they discovered the body near the crash site in the Snowy Mountains in NSW at around 3pm. "While he is yet to be formally identified, police believe the body is that of the missing pilot," police said on Friday. Officers remain at the crash site near the small town of Khancoban. Poor weather hampered the search for the plane after it was reported missing on Tuesday but the inter-agency operation eventually found the wreckage about 4pm on Thursday. "You wouldn't recognise it as an aeroplane," NSW Police Superintendent Andrew Spliet said of the wreckage. "It's a significant impact, a fair bit of speed into the mountain range which has completely destroyed that aircraft. "It wouldn't be survivable," he told reporters earlier on Friday. The search and subsequent recovery operation has involved helicopters from both NSW and Victoria along with SES, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Snowy Hydro and alpine specialist staff. The aircraft was on a private flight from Wangaratta in Victoria to Moruya on the NSW South Coast on Tuesday, and was reported missing when it did not arrive. A Beechworth Debonair light plane was last recorded on GPS near Dargals Trail in the Kosciuszko National Park. The impact of Tuesday's poor weather and whether flight warnings were in place will form part of the investigation into the crash, Supt Spliet said. A report for the coroner is also being prepared. Australia's aviation safety watchdog also announced it had begun an investigation into the crash and would provide a preliminary report in about two months. Tracking data, weather information and maintenance records will all form part of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's probe. "Should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so safety action can be taken," the bureau said in a statement. The body of a man believed to be a missing pilot has been found near the wreckage of a plane crash. Police said they discovered the body near the crash site in the Snowy Mountains in NSW at around 3pm. "While he is yet to be formally identified, police believe the body is that of the missing pilot," police said on Friday. Officers remain at the crash site near the small town of Khancoban. Poor weather hampered the search for the plane after it was reported missing on Tuesday but the inter-agency operation eventually found the wreckage about 4pm on Thursday. "You wouldn't recognise it as an aeroplane," NSW Police Superintendent Andrew Spliet said of the wreckage. "It's a significant impact, a fair bit of speed into the mountain range which has completely destroyed that aircraft. "It wouldn't be survivable," he told reporters earlier on Friday. The search and subsequent recovery operation has involved helicopters from both NSW and Victoria along with SES, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Snowy Hydro and alpine specialist staff. The aircraft was on a private flight from Wangaratta in Victoria to Moruya on the NSW South Coast on Tuesday, and was reported missing when it did not arrive. A Beechworth Debonair light plane was last recorded on GPS near Dargals Trail in the Kosciuszko National Park. The impact of Tuesday's poor weather and whether flight warnings were in place will form part of the investigation into the crash, Supt Spliet said. A report for the coroner is also being prepared. Australia's aviation safety watchdog also announced it had begun an investigation into the crash and would provide a preliminary report in about two months. Tracking data, weather information and maintenance records will all form part of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's probe. "Should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so safety action can be taken," the bureau said in a statement.
Perth Now
7 days ago
- Climate
- Perth Now
Plane wreckage found but crash not survivable: police
A recovery operation is underway for a pilot believed to have been killed in a plane crash after the discovery of wreckage. The aircraft was on a private flight from Wangaratta in Victoria to Moruya on the NSW South Coast on Tuesday, and was reported missing when it did not arrive. A Beechworth Debonair light plane was last recorded on GPS near Dargals Trail in the Kosciuszko National Park. Poor weather hampered the search for the plane but the inter-agency operation eventually found the wreckage about 4pm on Thursday, 10km east of Khancoban in the Snowy Mountains. "You wouldn't recognise it as an aeroplane," NSW Police Superintendent Andrew Spliet said of the wreckage on Friday. "It's a significant impact, a fair bit of speed into the mountain range which has completely destroyed that aircraft. "It wouldn't be survivable," he told reporters. Police have not yet been able to recover a body or formally identify the pilot due to the steep terrain, heavy snow and inclement weather in the area. The search and subsequent recovery operation has involved helicopters from both NSW and Victoria along with SES, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Snowy Hydro and alpine specialist staff. The impact of Tuesday's poor weather and whether flight warnings were in place will form part of the investigation into the crash, Supt Spliet said. Australia's aviation safety watchdog announced they had begun an investigation into the crash and would provide a preliminary report in about two months. Tracking data, weather information and maintenance records will all form part of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's probe. "Should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so safety action can be taken," the bureau said in a statement.
The Guardian
7 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Fears for pilot David Stephens after crashed plane found in remote NSW Snowy Mountains
A multi-agency search, including specialist forensic police officers, is under way for an elderly pilot whose light plane crashed in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains region earlier this week. The pilot, 74-year-old Bega man David Stephens, has been missing since Tuesday afternoon. Stephens was last seen at Wangaratta in Victoria when his plane was inspected before takeoff. NSW police commenced an air and land search for Stephens when he did not arrive at his destination of Moruya airport on the NSW south coast. The downed plane was spotted near Dargals Trail east of Khancoban on Thursday afternoon. A police spokesperson said on Friday a 'recovery operation' would commence about midday to 'retrieve and examine' the plane after it was located in the Snowy Valleys. 'The recovery operation will involve officers from Riverina police district, PolAir, Police Rescue, and the criminal investigation and crime scene unit,' the spokesperson said. 'NSW police force now have carriage of this matter with investigations continuing.' The initial search for the crash site included the police alpine operations unit, the NSW and Victorian ambulance services, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, state emergency services and Snowy Hydro. An Australian Maritime Safety Authority Challenger rescue jet and two helicopters conducted the overhead search.
Sky News AU
16-07-2025
- Climate
- Sky News AU
Missing plane last known location east of Khancoban, NSW
A desperate search for a missing plane, which failed to make a scheduled landing at a NSW airport, has been temporarily suspended. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said they were notified by Air Services Australia that an aircraft was overdue arriving at Moruya airport on the south coast of NSW. The aircraft was flying from Wangaratta in Victoria with one person on board. Its last known position was in the Snowy Mountains, east of Khancoban. A NSW Police spokesperson said it was possible the plane crashed about 500m off Dargals Trail in the Snowy Valleys. A multi agency ground and air search assisted by NSW Police, NSW SES, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Snowy Hydro, commenced on Tuesday. AMSA's Essendon-based Challenger jet, a Victorian Ambulance Emergency Medical helicopter and a Toll rescue helicopter from Bankstown were assisting with the air search from 12pm. An AMSA spokeswoman on Wednesday afternoon said the search had been suspended as of 4pm due to limited visibility and would recommence tomorrow morning if weather conditions allowed. 'NSW Police, SES, and National Parks and Wildlife, and Snowy Hydro ground search teams will continue their efforts until last light today and recommence the ground search at first light tomorrow,' the spokeswoman said. 'The ground search teams will be faced with rugged and inaccessible alpine terrain, impacted by recent heavy snow falls.' Temperatures in Khancoban dropped as low as five degrees on Tuesday, with snow showers above 1200m expected in the coming days. Originally published as Plane missing after failing to land at NSW Airport
