Snowy Hydro will have to run the first unit at its new Kurri Kurri power station in NSW on diesel instead of gas for at least two months once it comes online, and has no schedule for introducing green hydrogen into the fuel mix, despite Labor’s initial stipulation.

A commitment to run the fast-start 660-megawatt generator on green hydrogen was central to the Albanese government’s support for the project, which began under the Coalition and was initially opposed by Labor when the party was in opposition.