TransAlta and BHP Announce Commercial Operation of Innovative Hybrid Renewables Facility

TransAlta Corporation and BHP Group Limited (BHP) announced that the 48 MW Northern Goldfields solar and battery storage facility (Northern Goldfields Solar and Battery Facility) has achieved commercial operation and is now supplying reliable electricity to BHP's remote nickel mining operations in Western Australia.

"We are extremely pleased that this innovative hybrid renewable solution is now supplying reliable, emissions-free power to BHP's mining operations in the outback of Western Australia. The Northern Goldfields Solar and Battery Facility is our first renewable electricity facility in Australia and is made possible through our longstanding relationship with BHP," said John Kousinioris, President and Chief Executive Officer of TransAlta. "The fully contracted facility showcases our expertise in integrating renewable energy into remote power systems," added Kousinioris.

"Nickel is in high demand for batteries and electric vehicles, and this progress is part of our commitment to delivering more sustainable, lower carbon product to our customers," said BHP Australia President Geraldine Slattery. "Renewables are increasingly powering BHP operations around the globe and this facility – the first we have built on one of our sites – is another step forward in our plans to reduce our operational greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30 per cent by FY30, from FY20 levels."

"It's also wonderful to see the Northern Goldfields Solar and Battery Facility being commissioned on the back of a team of dedicated engineers, technicians and many others bringing new ideas to the table to support the development of more renewable electricity for our business. This facility will help us reduce Scope 2 emissions at Nickel West's northern operations by 12 per cent, resulting in an estimated reduction of 54,000 tonnes of CO2-e per annum – the equivalent of removing 23,000 combustion engine cars from the road each year," added Slattery.

"It's projects like these that are setting a global standard of what a modern mine looks like, with a big focus on the environment and reducing carbon emissions," said Bill Johnston, Western Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Energy. "I look forward to seeing what other projects BHP and TransAlta may develop," added Johnston.

The Northern Goldfields Solar and Battery Storage Facility consists of the 27.4 MW Mt Keith Solar Farm, 10.7 MW Leinster Solar Farm, 10.1 MW Leinster battery energy storage system and interconnecting transmission infrastructure, all of which is now integrated into TransAlta's existing 169 MW Southern Cross Energy North remote network in Western Australia.

The project created more than 100 direct and indirect jobs in the Goldfields and Perth regions during the construction phase and will support ongoing employment opportunities during operations. The project has also engaged with local stakeholders and communities, including Traditional Owners from the Tjiwarl Native Title Holders, to ensure positive social and economic outcomes.