Australia’s Largest Off-Grid Hybrid Renewables Facility Agreement Signed
One of the largest copper mining initiatives in Australia has entered into a 15-year agreement that will lead to the establishment of the nation’s largest off-grid hybrid renewable power facility.
This significant agreement involves Harmony Gold, the proprietors of the $2.4 billion Eva copper mine, situated approximately 80 kilometres north-east of Cloncurry in north-west Queensland, and the UK-based company Aggreko, known for its expertise in off-grid energy solutions.
Details of the Renewable Project
The announcement revealed that the project will feature a solar farm with a capacity of 118 MWp, complemented by a 250 megawatt hour battery system and supported by a 104 MVA thermal power plant. Aggreko will be responsible for the construction, ownership, and operation of this innovative facility.
Once operational, the Eva facility is expected to surpass the Kathleen Valley lithium mine in Western Australia, becoming the largest facility of its kind in the country. The Kathleen Valley project includes 17 MW of solar energy, 30 MW from wind, along with a battery energy storage system (BESS) of 17 MW/20 MWh, enabling operation without engines.
Interestingly, the design of the Eva copper mine does not currently incorporate any wind turbines, which is atypical for off-grid renewable hybrid setups that typically see penetration rates between 80 to 90 per cent. However, there is potential for the integration of wind power in the future.
A Milestone for Renewable Energy in Mining
George Whyte, the head of Aggreko AusPac, remarked on the significance of this contract, calling it a landmark achievement for both Aggreko and the Australian mining sector. He noted that the size of the renewable hybrid power station and its integration of solar energy, battery storage, and thermal generation set a new standard for off-grid energy solutions.
The partnership aims to attain net zero emissions from the mine’s operations by the year 2035. In contrast, other mining companies, such as Fortescue, are setting their sights on achieving “real zero” status, meaning a complete elimination of fossil fuel use in energy and transportation by 2030.
According to their statement, Harmony Gold and Aggreko plan to gradually increase the proportion of renewable energy used, which may include the addition of wind power. They also expressed interest in potentially connecting to the grid, pending the advancement of the Copperstring transmission project.
Renew Economy is actively seeking further information regarding the specifications of the battery, including its megawatt capacity, and the anticipated energy share from the initial solar and battery setups.
Aggreko operates globally with a workforce exceeding 6,900 employees and is present in over 70 nations.
