Solar-gas-battery hybrid to power iron ore mine in Australia

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Fortescue's Iron Bridge project. Image credit: Fortescue Metals Group

Solar and storage batteries will energise yet another mining site of a large hub in Western Australia, building on the 60MW solar project that was already announced last year.

On Thursday, Australian mining giant Fortescue Metals Group said it is pressing ahead with a new stage of a programme meant to power a mining complex in the Pilbara region, along Australia’s northwestern coast.  

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The firm had announced last October it would mix a 60MW PV plant with gas power and batteries at a location in the complex – the Chichester hub – and has now put forward plans to roll out the same combination at Iron Bridge, northwest from Chichester.

The next stage will see solar (150MW) deployed alongside gas (150MW) and a “large-scale” storage battery at Iron Bridge, Fortescue said in a statement, adding that it will build, own and run the energy infrastructure.

Headquartered in Perth, Fortescue styles itself as one of the world’s largest iron ore producers and claims to ship 170 million tonnes of the mineral every year. Its Iron Bridge location is said to host one of the largest deposits of magnetite, an iron ore variety, in Australia.

The miner intends to invest US$700 million overall to fund the roll-out of solar and the other energy projects. The Chichester first phase has been earmarked US$250 million of that total, while the Iron Bridge hybrid will receive the remaining US$450 million.

The 60MW Chichester solar project is being developed by Alinta Energy, with funds from Australia’s green energy agency ARENA supporting the construction. Aside from the hybrid projects, Fortescue is planning to set up 275 kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines to link the various energy plants.

“Importantly, Pilbara Energy Connect allows for large-scale renewable generation such as solar or wind to be connected at any point on the integrated network,” Fortescue's CEO Elizabeth Gaines said in the statement on Thursday. 

Solar and storage batteries are increasingly becoming the choice of mining groups keen on cheaper electricity bills for energy-intensive operations. Fortescue aside, industry players going down this route in the past year include B2Gold, Nordgold, Gold Fields and Harmony Gold.

Read Next

July 11, 2025
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has revealed that several utility-scale solar PV power plants experienced curtailment of above 25% in the National Electricity Market (NEM) in 2024.
July 10, 2025
Copenhagen Energy has partnered with Thy-Mors Energi to set up a 100MW PV and BESS project in Ballerum, about 370km from Copenhagen. 
July 10, 2025
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced a new AU$60 million (US$39.4 million) funding round to bolster R&D efforts to achieve ultra-low-cost solar.
July 8, 2025
Bulgarian-headquartered solar engineering company Sunotec has acquired 100% of the project company, SIA DSE Lazas Solar, from Danish Sun Energy. 
Premium
July 8, 2025
In the latest NEM data spotlight, solar generation in Australia reached its yearly lowest month, while rooftop solar prices spiked to AU$225.57/MWh.
July 4, 2025
Australian retailer AGL Energy has confirmed its acquisition of South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant (SAVPP) from Tesla.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK