Drought threatens Australia’s hydroelectric power
Officials say Australia’s severe drought may force them to shut down major generating turbines at the Snowy Hydro power scheme— the country’s largest renewable energy source. In an effort to keep turbines running, experts have been conducting cloud-seeding operations to artificially prompt rainfall.
Last week, Australia’s Prime Minister, John Howard, warned that irrigation at the Murray-Darling River basin would be prohibited unless the region received sufficient rainfall over the coming weeks.
The basin is known as the food bowl of Australia.
