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BHP Group Limited Olympic Dam Solar, wind hybrid Announcement Date: October 14, 2021
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HP’s Olympic Dam mine is one of the world’s most significant deposits of copper, gold, and uranium. Located 560 km north of Adelaide, South Australia, the mine is made up of underground and surface operations and operates a fully integrated processing facility from ore to metal. In October, BHP signed a landmark deal with Iberdrola Australia to secure the supply of renewable energy to Olympic Dam from the new Port August Renewable Energy Park (PAREP) in South Australia. PAREP will be Australia’s biggest wind and solar hybrid facility with 210 MW of wind and 110 MW of large scale solar; BHP is to become the primary customer of this new renewable facility. “Olympic Dam’s copper has an important role to play to support global decarbonisation and the energy transition as an essential product in electric vehicles and renewable infrastructure,” said BHP Olympic Dam Asset President, Jennifer Purdie. “Reducing emissions from our operations will further enhance our position as a sustainable copper producer.” Last month, it was reported by RENEWECONOMY that PAREP was close to begin production of wind energy after a green light from the Australian Energy Market Operator. Meanwhile, the solar farm component is in the final stages of completion. PAREP is expected to fully commission by the middle of this year. The arrangement with BHP becomes effective July 1, 2022.
Article Sources: Renew Economy, BHP Image Credit: Iberdrola
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ENERGY AND MINES MAGAZINE
