Off-Grid Gold Mine Achieves 84 Hours of 100% Renewable Energy
The proprietor of one of Australia’s largest and most valuable gold mines has announced a significant milestone, having operated its off-grid facility for 84 consecutive hours without using any fossil fuels. This achievement demonstrates that it is indeed feasible for remote industries to rely entirely on renewable energy sources.
Bellevue Gold has established one of the world’s largest off-grid renewable energy systems, featuring a combination of 24 megawatts (MW) of wind power, 27 MW of solar energy, and a 15 MW battery with a capacity of 30 MWh. This setup is complemented by 9 MW of diesel and 15 MW of gas capacity.
Impressive Renewable Energy Performance
Although the wind turbines commenced operations only in May, they have already surpassed initial expectations, delivering an average renewable energy contribution of between 78% and 88% over the past two months. According to the company’s latest sustainability report, the renewable energy power station has successfully powered the mine using 100% instantaneous renewable energy during periods of sufficient solar and wind resources.
In August 2025, the mine achieved a remarkable feat by operating solely on renewable energy for 84 consecutive hours, reinforcing the notion that complete reliance on renewable energy is achievable. Bellevue Gold is positioning itself as a pioneer in the mining sector, claiming to be the first “net zero” mine.
Progressive Transition to Renewables
Officially opened last year, the gold mine has steadily increased its share of renewable energy, with the final solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity installed in July and the first of four 6 MW turbines added in late April. With all four turbines now operational, the mine’s renewable energy share has surged from just 14% in July of the previous year to 64% in June, followed by jumps to 78% in July and 88% in August.
Bellevue Gold is projected to become Australia’s most renewably powered off-grid mine, with an anticipated annual renewable energy penetration exceeding 80% for the fiscal year 2026, as stated in the company’s report.
Future Plans for Electrification
The company is now focusing on electrifying other aspects of its operations, including the use of electric vehicles and equipment both above ground and within the mine. They are also exploring long-duration energy storage solutions, timing operations to align with periods of abundant wind and solar energy, and identifying additional opportunities to utilise surplus energy.
One of the key strategies for reducing emissions involves implementing a cutting-edge mine ventilation system designed to decrease power consumption by up to 30%. This is achieved by optimising fan speeds to significantly lower energy requirements for the ventilation circuit. The Ventilation on Demand (VoD) system incorporates variable speed drives (VSD) for the secondary fans.
With the renewable energy power station now fully operational, Bellevue Gold is committed to finding innovative ways to maximise the use of renewable energy, aiming to cut costs and emissions further.
Significant Solar Farm Installation
The 27 MW solar farm at Bellevue Gold is among the largest globally for an off-grid gold mining operation and ranks as the eighth largest solar farm in the state, encompassing both on-grid and off-grid installations. The power plant, which integrates wind, solar, battery storage, gas, and diesel, along with a synchronous condenser and microgrid controller, is managed by Zenith Energy under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Bellevue Gold.
