Independent power producer Zenith Energy has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement to supply energy to Northern Star’s (ASX:NST) Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) Operations.
Zenith will fund, build, own, and operate the renewable power facilities, as part of the agreement.
The project will supply energy to Northern Star’s Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) Operations in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, and comprises 256MW of wind generation, 138MW of solar generation and 138MW/300MWh of battery energy storage.
Key design, engineering, and procurement work are already underway on the project, which will take Zenith Energy’s contracted generation across Australia to beyond 1.3GW, more than 50% of which is renewable energy.
Zenith Energy Managing Director Hamish Moffat says the agreement exemplifies the energy transition taking place at scale in the 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 says.
Australian solar system manufacturer 5B has been selected to supply the 138MW solar farm, the largest of its kind deployed for an Australian mining operation.
More than 230,000 solar panels will be used, deployed on 5B’s rapid-install Maverick platform manufactured in Australia at the company’s Adelaide facility.
Wind turbine supplier Goldwind Australia will provide wind turbines for the wind farm, which will be located approximately 10km outside of Kalgoorlie. The wind turbines will be among the largest in Australia, with the towers standing 150m high and a rotor diameter of 182m.
Zenith will also source, own and operate a 138MW/300 MWh Battery Energy Storage System to optimise the delivery of renewable energy. In addition to the PPA for renewable energy, Zenith Energy has entered a joint venture with Northern Star to supply 120MW of thermal generation to support the renewables and provide backup to KCGM, along with a 132kV transmission network and substations.
Together, the renewable and thermal generation projects will be known as the Eastern Goldfields Power Projects. Zenith Energy will also build and operate the new thermal power station and transmission infrastructure under the terms of a 25-year arrangement.
Technology group Wartsila will supply 10 high-efficiency dual-fuel generators along with associated auxiliary equipment and control systems to power the thermal component of the project. Wartsila’s technology includes its innovative capability to allow the generators to support grid stability.
Adelaide based RJE Global will supply key components of the 132kV Transmission system, including power transformers, as well as engineering, design and construction services.
Commissioning of the Eastern Goldfields Power Projects are anticipated to begin in mid-2027 subject to environmental and regulatory approvals.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Northern Star & Zenith
