Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora Operation has received its first delivery of natural gas, marking the next step in the company’s strategy to reduce emissions intensity and costs.
The delivery follows the expansion of the existing power station on site, including the installation of eight new gas gensets and an LNG storage facility.
The next step of the power station expansion will be the construction of a lithium-ion battery energy storage system, which will support future growth in solar energy.
The increased energy capacity on site supports the additional power required as the P1000 Expansion Project comes online, which is on track to deliver first ore in 2025.
Pilbara Minerals’ Power Strategy, released in December 2023, outlines the Company’s plan to reduce diesel-based thermal generation and increase the use of natural gas and battery energy storage in stage 1. Stages 2 and 3 of the Strategy aim to further increase renewable power generation capacity and enhance energy efficiency measures at the Pilgangoora Operation.
Successful delivery of stage 1 and stage 2 of the strategy is anticipated to achieve an approximate 48 per cent reduction in power emissions intensity by 2027 via natural gas and solar power generation initiatives at site, and up to 80 per cent reduction by 2030 should emerging wind power generation opportunities become regionally available, in stage 3.
In FY24, the existing 6MW solar power plant contributed 9.5 per cent of the total electricity produced on site, as a result approximately 3ML of diesel fuel was displaced.
The delivery of this project aligns with Pilbara Minerals’ ambition to become a sustainable battery materials producer, as well as driving ongoing operational cost savings.