A wind farm with turbines measuring 200m in height is set to help provide the power requirements of three of BHP’s major nickel processing operations in WA.
The new Flat Rocks Wind Farm, currently construction outside Kojonup, will comprise 18 turbines producing 315GWh per year.
First power is expected in October 2023 and in combination with a recently announced power purchase agreement with the Merredin Solar Farm, renewable energy is projected to meet the power requirements for BHP’s Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter, the Kambalda Nickel Concentrator and the Kwinana Nickel Refinery.
It’s also estimated the two renewable power initiatives will reduce BHP Nickel West’s Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 60 per cent against 2020 baseline levels.
“We are taking great strides in making our operations more sustainable and strengthening BHP’s position as a nickel supplier of choice to global customers,” BHP Nickel West Asset President Jessica Farrell said.
“We are delighted to partner with Enel Green Power as the first customer of the Flat Rocks Wind Farm, creating jobs and supporting the Kojonup community with the introduction of a renewable energy industry to the area.”
As a commodity nickel has been enjoying a strong couple of years, thanks to its vital role in the production of lithium-ion batteries.
Some 85 per cent of BHP Nickel West’s nickel is sold to battery material suppliers and in 2021 the company entered into a nickel supply agreement with electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla.
The wind farm is being constructed by Italian-owned Enel Green Power and there is an element of symmetry in the arrangement given Kojonup’s historically strong Italian population.
The development highlights the ever-growing influence of renewable energy sources on the WA mining and resources sector.
In addition to a wide range of solar projects – including the Gruyere gold mine, Granny Smith in the northern Goldfields and even redeployable installations – wind has an increasingly important role to play.
Gold Fields’ Agnew gold mine 375km north of Kalgoorlie has generated more than 90 per cent of its power needs at times through Australia’s largest hybrid renewable microgrid, one which features an 18MW wind farm comprising five 110-metre turbines.
The innovation was in 2021 recognised with the Golden Gecko award for environmental excellence, awarded by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
Gold Fields’ Executive Vice President Australasia Stuart Mathews said the microgrid was a point of considerable pride for workers.
“People, especially younger people, want to work for a company that believes in sustainability – not just talking about it but putting actions in place,” Mathews said.
“What I really underestimated was what [the renewables project] did for the morale and motivation of our workforce at Agnew.
“They are absolutely proud of it and people want to work there, including people putting their hands up to transfer from other sites to go to Agnew.”
