Introduction

Renewable energy delivered a record third of Australia’s energy market in 2021. New, large-scale renewable energy projects added 2,955 MW in 2021, nearly 1 GW more than that added in 2020.

According to Australia’s Clean Energy Council, as at the end of 2021, 68 large-scale projects – including 42 solar farms and two hybrid wind and solar projects – were under construction or financially committed.

Collectively, this pipeline represents more than 9 GW of new capacity and over $18 billion of investment.

“The acceleration of the renewable energy transition in 2021 shows that a future where Australia’s electricity costs less, is more reliable and has zero emissions is no longer a possibility, it is a certainty,” said Kane Thornton, Chief Executive, Clean Energy Council, earlier this month.

Encouragingly, both the battery and hydrogen sectors are also taking forward strides.

Specific to mining, renewables are getting a lot of love from the industry because they reduce reliance on fossil fuels and their volatile pricing.

Not only does the switch to renewables reduce a mine’s carbon footprint, it also makes business sense by cutting operational costs. Geographically too, the harsh climatic conditions at remote mines are in fact a boon for renewable energy generation. The advantages of renewables are increasingly so compelling that remote mines are no longer considering “fuel-only” options for their energy needs.

Unsurprisingly, renewable energy projects in Australian mining are growing in number and size.

Here is a showcase of 19 projects and climate commitments announced by Australian mining companies in recent months.

This is not a full picture of current activities as the pace of announcements and commitments by Australian mining companies has accelerated significantly over the last year. However, this offers a window into the exciting steps and ambitions mining companies are taking to decarbonise in Australia.