7: Fortescue Metals Group

7

In Fortescue Metals Group In December, solar energy flowed to the Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak mine sites in Fortescue’s Chichester Hub in the Pilbara on completion of the 60 MW Alinta Energy Chichester Solar Gas Hybrid Project.

The project’s solar farm powers up to 100 per cent of daytime operations at the two sites, an Australian first, and displaces around 100 million litres of diesel every year. The remaining power requirements are met through the 35 MW/11 MW battery storage and 145 MW gas-fired generation at Alinta Energy’s Newman Power Station.

Approximately 60 km of transmission line linking Fortescue’s Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak mining operations to the solar farm and Alinta’s existing Newman power station and battery energy storage system also formed a part of the project.

The 60 MW Alinta Energy Chichester Solar Gas Hybrid Project is developed, owned and operated by Alinta Energy.

“The project is a practical example of Fortescue delivering on its ambitious carbon neutrality target and demonstrates that renewables can power the energy needs of Australia’s mining and resources sector,” said Fortescue chief executive officer Elizabeth Gaines.