BHP has inked a large-scale renewable Power Purchase Agreement with Alinta Energy, promising to halve electricity-generated emissions at its iron ore facilities in Port Hedland, WA by the end of 2024.
The halving of reported emissions, based on current forecast demand and compared with FY2020 reported emissions, will contribute to BHP’s medium-term target to reduce operational emissions by at least 30 per cent from FY2020 levels by 2030 and our long-term goal of achieving net zero operational emissions by 2050.
This Power Purchase Agreement between BHP and 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, approximately 14km from BHP’s port facilities.
Alinta Energy Managing Director and CEO, Jeff Dimery, claimed the deal would once again demonstrate his company’s 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,” Mr Dimery said.
“We’re excited to get the project underway and thank BHP for their partnership and vision.”
This Power Purchase Agreement 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, approximately 14km from BHP’s port facilities.
The construction of the solar farm, subject to final regulatory approvals, is expected to begin in December 2022 and could create 200 jobs.
Once completed, it is expected that 100 per cent 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.
