Australia’s Port Hedland, the world’s largest iron ore export facility, could soon be partially powered by solar power under plans just released by BHP.
The mining giant said it expects to halve emissions from the generation of electricity used to power the port facilities in Pilbara, Western Australia by the end of 2024, following the signing of a large-scale renewable power purchase agreement with Alinta Energy.
Pilbara is said to be one of the sunniest regions in Australia, receiving approximately 4,015 hours per year of sun.
BHP said the halving of reported emissions will contribute to its medium-term target to reduce operational emissions by at least 30% from FY2020 levels by 2030 and its long-term goal of achieving net zero operational emissions by 2050.
The deal with Alinta will see the construction and connection of a 45MW solar farm and 35MW battery energy storage system into Alinta Energy’s existing Port Hedland power station, about 14km from BHP’s port facilities.
The construction of the solar farm, subject to final regulatory approvals, is expected to begin in December 2022, BHP said.
Once completed, it is expected that 100% of the forecasted average daytime energy requirements for BHP’s port facilities will be powered by solar generation, with the remaining power requirements to be met through the integrated battery energy storage system and market access to Alinta Energy’s existing gas-fuelled power station facilities.
BHP is the foundation customer of Alinta’s solar battery hybrid project, which is expected to be the first large-scale renewable facility at Port Hedland and will support the expansion of the renewable energy industry in Western Australia.
“The world needs western Australia’s high-quality iron ore to support economic development and decarbonisation, and we are committed to supplying iron ore more sustainably,” said BHP’s WA iron ore asset president, Brandon Craig.
Alinta Energy chief executive Jeff Dimery said that BHP was once again demonstrating strong leadership in the transition to net zero.
“This is exactly the kind of leadership, progress and smart use of renewables and storage that we need from companies like BHP to show the way forward for Australia,” he added.
Mining rival Fortescue Metals Group already uses solar power provided by Alinta’s 60 MW Alinta Energy Chichester Hub Solar Farm in the Pilbara region.
The solar farm has already powered up to 100% of daytime operations at FMG’s Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak mines and will displace around 100m litres of diesel every year.
