APA Group and BHP have today celebrated the opening of the Port Hedland Solar and Battery Project.
The 45 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) generation facility and 36.7 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), connected to APA’s Port Hedland Power Station, will provide reliable and affordable energy to BHP, while reducing emissions from the generation of electricity used to power its WA Iron Ore port facilities.
The project brings to life ongoing work to decarbonise the Pilbara, demonstrating the ability to displace thermal generation with utility scale solar generation, while maintaining cost competitiveness and security of supply.
The project’s solar farm is designed to withstand sustained wind speeds of 80m/s or 288km/hr, a first in the Australian market. While the installation of solar inland is common, coastal solar deployment has remained stagnant due to the difficulty in designing renewable energy infrastructure capable of withstanding the extreme wind speeds associated with cyclones that are prevalent in the region.
The hybrid solar BESS demonstrates how system security can be maintained in remote – or fringe of grid – networks, providing mining customers confidence in security of supply.
APA CEO and Managing Director, Adam Watson said the delivery of the project demonstrates ongoing execution of APA’s Pilbara growth strategy in partnership with key resources customers.
“We are thrilled to partner with BHP in the delivery of this important project. To achieve our nation’s emissions reduction ambition, it is essential that we have a plan for decarbonisation across the resources sector. This project demonstrates how solar, battery and gas-powered generation can be sewn together to successfully transition remote mining operations,” Mr Watson said.
“Today’s milestone consolidates our position as the leading provider of bundled energy solutions in remote regions. It’s a clear demonstration of our capability to support customers with reliable, affordable and lower emissions energy infrastructure.
“Decarbonising the energy intensive and remote operations of Australia’s leading mining and resources companies will be a major undertaking. The investment required to decarbonise Western Australia’s minerals-rich Pilbara region alone is estimated to be about $15 billion and we have a strong $3 billion plus pipeline of growth projects that we continue to progress.
“We will continue to leverage our strategically located assets and development sites, our long-term contracts, strong customer relationships and the unique skills of our Pilbara team as we execute our Pilbara growth strategy.”
BHP WA Iron Ore Asset President, Tim Day, said: "It's fantastic to be the foundational customer of this project, building on our long-term relationship with APA.
"It's incredible to think that from commissioning early next year, the solar farm is expected to provide most of the daytime energy needs of our huge port facilities here in Port Hedland.
"This power purchase agreement is a step forward on BHP's global pathway to decarbonisation, and it will also play an important role in the renewable energy future of the Pilbara.
"From electrifying mining equipment and switching to renewable power sources like this, to partnering with the shipping industry and steelmakers to help them reduce their emissions, it's all about doing our part for the global decarbonisation effort."
Construction of the Port Hedland Solar and Battery project commenced in 2023. Construction of the solar farm and battery assets is now complete, along with switchyard energisation and connection to the North West Interconnected System. Project commissioning is underway allowing for commercial operation to commence soon after.
The Western Australian Government has committed $1.5 million funding for the BESS as part of its Clean Energy Future Fund (CEFF). The BESS replaces spinning reserve provided by the gas-fired power station, with energy stored in the battery to provide instant support to the grid when needed.