Mining giant Fortescue hopes its new wind farm in Western Australia’s Pilbara will be the region’s “first wind farm”.
Construction of 17 wind turbines for the 133MW power plant near Narragin, 1,360 kilometers northeast of Perth, officially began this month as part of Fortescue’s plans to use renewable energy sources to offset emissions from iron ore production.
The project is expected to be completed in 2027.
Fortescue CEO Dino Otranto said the turbine design was a “world first” and he expected the wind farm to be the first of many in the region.
“To remain competitive, we need lower cost power, and that’s what this product is about. [wind farm] I will,” he said.
But one renewable energy consultant said while Fortescue was a “best practice leader” in decarbonising operations, it did not foresee an influx of new wind farms in Western Australia’s north.
Why does the wind blow?
The Pilbara mining industry contributes significantly to WA’s carbon footprint. 40 percent of the state’s total emissions.
From pit to port, iron ore mining typically involves diesel-powered vehicles such as dump trucks, excavators, and trains.
Companies in the region’s mining sector have begun investing in renewable energy projects (mainly solar power) aimed at decarbonisation, and in Fortescue’s case to power electric heavy vehicles.
An electric excavator that Fortescue introduced on a trial basis in preparation for the transition to electric vehicles. (Provided by: Fortescue Metal)
But the state government says less than 2 per cent of renewable energy is generated in the Pilbara.
Unlike solar power, wind power can produce energy at night in certain areas.
Otranto said that’s why the Nuragin wind farm is doing what it does. Supplements solar energy.
“What people don’t understand is that we also have very strong winds in the Pilbara, and the winds really only blow at night or in the early evening into the early evening,” he said.
Dino Otranto says the wind farm design is a “world first”. (Provided by: Fortescue Metal)
”For us, in the Pilbara, it’s a no-brainer.”
The Chinese-made turbine is estimated to be 277 meters tall, taller than any other turbine in Australia.
Otranto said taller turbines produce more energy, which means fewer turbines are needed to produce the same amount of power.
Renewable energy costs are high
Ray Wills, managing director of Future Smart Strategies, described Fortescue as a “global best practice leader” in decarbonization operations.
But he said the Nuragin project is “ambitious.”
Ray Wills is a researcher, academic, consultant, and futurist with a focus on sustainability and technology. (ABC News: Nicholas Martyr)
“The Pilbara is a difficult place to work for two reasons: the heat and the cyclones,” Professor Wills said.
“And the second reason is that it’s FIFO, which means higher employee costs.”
futurists said otherwise I think there will be New wind farms are flooding into northern Washington because they are still too expensive compared to the main alternative, solar power.
Large wind and solar farm capacity approved by Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator over the past five years. (Source: Clean Energy Regulator)
“Wind power is definitely not coming down in price as quickly as solar,” he said.
“It can’t be expensive energy, otherwise it would be expensive iron ore and from there it would be green iron.
“Therefore, we need to continue to lower energy prices.”