Renewables company Zenith Energy has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to supply energy to Northern Star’s Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) Operations in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
The development of the renewable energy project stands as the largest for Australia’s mining sector, comprising 256MW of wind generation, 138MW of solar generation, and 138MW/300MWh of battery energy storage.
Related article: KKR acquires independent power producer Zenith Energy
Zenith will fund, build, own and operate the renewable power facilities which will deliver lower power costs and higher energy reliability to Northern Star, as well as contributing to emissions reduction at the KCGM Operations.
Zenith Energy managing director Hamish Moffat said the landmark PPA demonstrated the large-scale energy transition occurring at WA’s Goldfields, a region key to Australia’s critical and precious metals industry.
“This renewable energy solution provides Northern Star with cost-effective power while having the future potential to improve energy reliability for Kalgoorlie,” Moffat said.
“Planned local content and collaboration with key community representatives will also make it a great example of a Just Energy Transition.
The project will increase Zenith Energy’s contracted generation to more than 1.3GW across Australia, more than 50% of which is renewable energy. Key design, engineering and procurement activities on the project are already underway.
“The KCGM project provides a blueprint for what modern mining energy systems should look like; cost-effective, clean, scalable, reliable and delivery of real benefits to local and regional communities.”
Related article: Aula Energy secures PPA for proposed wind farm in SA
Australian solar system manufacturer 5B has been selected to supply at least 230,000 solar panels for the 138MW solar farm, the largest of its kind deployed for an Australian mining operation.
The panels will be deployed on 5B’s rapid-install Maverick platform manufactured in Australia at the company’s Adelaide facility.
