Energy minister declares Snowy Hydro expansion 'fundamental' to Australia

Angus Taylor speech leads into crucial board decision on whether or not to proceed

The energy minister Angus Taylor has backed Malcolm Turnbull's pet project, the expansion of the Snowy Hydro scheme, ahead of critical deliberations on the project due next month.

Taylor will use a speech on Wednesday to express confidence that Snowy "will be a fundamental part of our future energy needs for many generations". The board is due to decide in mid-December whether to proceed with additional generation capacity of 2,000MW.