Voith has successfully completed two major factory acceptance tests (FATs) for the large-scale pumped storage project Snowy 2.0. Key generator components (U4 rotor pole and U2 stator bar) were accepted at the Voith facility in Shanghai, while digital and hydraulic governors for Units 5 and 6 passed final FATs in Heidenheim. Both FATs were completed on schedule and received positive feedback from the customer.
Snowy 2.0 is a pumped storage battery megaproject in New South Wales, Australia. The dispatchable generation project expands upon the original Snowy Mountains scheme connecting two existing dams through a 27 km underground tunnel and a new, underground pumped-hydro power station. It is expected to be rated at 2.2 GW of capacity and about 350 000 MWh of large-scale storage to the national electricity market.
In Voith’s Shanghai workshop, FATs focused on critical generator parts: the rotor poles for Unit 4 and stator bars for Unit 2. The components met all technical specifications. The rotor poles demonstrated uniform magnetic flux density, high-quality lamination, and precise winding, while the stator bars showed consistent insulation thickness, excellent partial discharge values, and precise bar end shaping. The entire FAT process – from raw material inspection to final testing – was conducted under a structured, traceable quality framework.
At Voith’s Heidenheim location, the Automation team conducted integrated FATs for Units 5 (asynchronous) and 6 (synchronous). These tests included both the digital and hydraulic governors, assembled and tested in their final cabinet configuration with live connections to the control system.
With the successful completion of these key FATs, Voith is well positioned for the next project phase in Australia. “Snowy 2.0 will underpin the future of clean energy in Australia – and we are proud to contribute key technologies and expertise to make it a success,” says Bill Armstrong, Senior VP Global Large Projects at Voith Hydro. The project is now expected to be generating power by late 2027 and fully operational by the end of 2028, despite challenges including complex geology and supply chain disruptions.
