Australian Resources and Energy Group AREEA congratulates member company Fortescue Metals Group’s landmark agreement with Alinta Energy that will see up to 100 per cent of daytime stationary energy requirements at its Chichester Hub iron ore operations powered by renewable energy.

Announced last Friday, the Chichester Solar Gas Hybrid project will see the construction of a 60MW solar photovoltaic generation facility at the Chichester Hub, comprising Fortescue’s Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak mining operations.

In addition, an approximately 60-kilometre transmission line linking the Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak mining operations with Alinta Energy’s Newman gas-fired power station and a 35MW battery facility will be constructed, with completion due mid-2021.

Once completed, up to 100 per cent of daytime stationary energy requirements at the Chichester Hub will be provided by solar generation, with the remaining power requirements to be met through the integrated battery storage and gas power station facilities.

The project is expected to displace around 100 million litres annually of diesel used in the existing Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak power stations.

The move will see Western Australia’s Pilbara region home to the first major iron ore mining operation in Australia to be run entirely off renewable energy during the day.

On behalf of the Australian Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced $24.2 million in funding to Alinta Energy Pilbara Finance Pty Ltd (Alinta) to develop the project.