Federal government announces major upgrade to Snowy hydro scheme

The federal government has announced it will spend billions of dollars on a major upgrade to the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme, as part of its ongoing bid to stave off a national electricity shortage.

Quang cảnh bên trong của nhà máy điện số 3 tại Talbingo Source: AAP

Additional tunnels and power stations will increase the scheme's output by 50 per cent, and provide energy to half a million more homes.

But the announcement has provoked a further widening of the rift between the Commonwealth and the South Australian government - with both sides attacking each other over their handling of the energy crisis.