Tag Archives: Geraldine Slattery

BHP, TransAlta solar and battery storage facility set to cut Nickel West Scope 2 emissions

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A new solar farm in the Northern Goldfields of Western Australia has been switched online thanks to a collaboration between BHP and renewable energy provider TransAlta, which, BHP says, will reduce Scope 2 emissions at the Nickel West northern operations by 12%.

The Northern Goldfields Solar and Battery Storage Facility is one of the world’s largest off-grid mining solar and battery energy storage systems and features about 70,000 solar panels across 90 ha of land.

The initiative, which will replace power currently generated from diesel and gas, will be a significant step towards BHP’s aim to decarbonise its operations by 30% by the 2030 financial year.

It includes a 27.4 MW solar farm at Mt Keith, and a 10.7 MW solar farm and 10.1 MW battery at Leinster, which is integrated into TransAlta’s Northern Goldfields remote power grid.

Construction on the facility began in 2022, creating more than 100 direct and indirect jobs in the Goldfields and Perth regions, and will support ongoing employment during operations.

BHP Australia President, Geraldine Slattery, said: “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% by FY30, from FY20 levels.

“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.”

BHP Nickel West Asset President, Jessica Farrell, said the initiative was one of many ways Nickel West was reducing its operational emissions – it was also considering wind farms in the northern and southern Goldfields.

“It’s fantastic to see the Northern Goldfields Solar and Battery Storage Facility switched on,” she said. “It’s on the back of a team of dedicated engineers, technicians and many others bringing new ideas to the table to support the development and integration of reliable and affordable renewable power to our business.

“The initiative will help Nickel West reduce Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions at our northern operations by 12%. This will result in an estimated reduction of 54,000 t of CO2-e per annum – the equivalent of removing 23,000 combustion engine cars2 from the road each year.”

TransAlta’s President and Chief Executive Officer, John Kousinioris, said the company was excited to flick the switch on what was a ground-breaking project for the organisation.

He said: “We are excited to work together with BHP to realise this innovative solution to meet BHP’s renewable electricity needs. This facility represents a first for both companies – it’s BHP’s first on-site, large-scale renewable project globally, and it’s TransAlta’s first renewable energy facility in Australia. It’s also the first time we have combined solar and battery storage to offer a hybrid solution.

“This unique project enabled us to apply the extensive capability and technical knowledge we have to the development of a large-scale facility in a remote part of Western Australia.

“Working under our longstanding relationship with BHP, we were able to collectively solve challenges and break new ground at the same time as playing a part in WA’s exciting and rapidly accelerating transition to a cleaner energy future.”

BHP Mitsubishi Alliance secures half of Central Queensland power requirements with renewables

Environmental, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Steel and iron ore, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) has entered into a new renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) with Queensland’s publicly-owned energy generator and retailer CleanCo, which, the company says, is expected to provide half the forecasted electricity demand of BMA’s Central Queensland operations over five years from January 2026.

The new PPA will run to the end of 2030 and effectively extend an existing low carbon emission power agreement between BMA and CleanCo currently running to the end of 2025.

This second PPA will enable BMA to continue to source half of its expected electricity needs from low greenhouse gas emission sources such as solar and wind, as well as pumped hydro.

BHP President Australia, Geraldine Slattery, said: “We are increasing renewable electricity at BMA in line with our decarbonisation commitments to 2030 and beyond, improving the long-term sustainability of our business while at the same time supporting Queensland’s renewable electricity infrastructure build, regional communities and local jobs.

“We expect demand for Queensland’s higher-quality metallurgical coal to remain strong for many years to come, as major steelmakers look to reduce their emissions intensity while delivering the steel needed to support global population growth and decarbonisation infrastructure.”

BHP Chief Commercial Officer, Vandita Pant, said: “Using more renewable electricity at our operated assets across the globe is key to our operational decarbonisation strategy. We are pleased to continue our strong relationship with CleanCo.

“Through a growing number of agreements to supply our mines in Chile, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia with renewable electricity, we are making good progress on decarbonisation while supporting the development of renewable infrastructure and stimulating regional economies.”

The new PPA will help support four renewable electricity projects across regional Queensland, which combined are expected to generate more than 1,500 local jobs during construction: the Dulacca Wind Farm due for completion in late 2023, the MacIntyre Wind Farm due for completion in 2025, and the Western Downs Green Power Hub and Kaban Wind Farm that currently supply electricity to the grid and are expected to reach full commercial operation later this year.

The PPA is also linked to CleanCo’s new renewable energy storage initiative, which directs excess renewables to the Wivenhoe Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Station to support an increase in around-the-clock renewable supply and cost management.

CleanCo CEO, Tom Metcalfe, said: “At CleanCo we are committed to providing tailored, clean energy solutions to help our customers decarbonise.

“It is our role to develop solutions that meet the unique energy needs of these companies so that they can thrive in a net zero future and I am thrilled BMA has entrusted CleanCo to continue to supply reliable, renewable energy for its operations.”

BHP is on track to achieve its medium-term target to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% by FY2030 (from FY2020 levels). BHP also has a long-term goal to achieve net zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Toyota Australia and BHP strengthen decarbonisation partnership

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Toyota Australia and BHP have strengthened their relationship, aimed at enhancing safety and decarbonisation measures within BHP’s Australian operations. This collaboration, solidified today through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), represents a significant milestone in the ongoing relationship between the two industry-leading brands.

Back in 2021, Toyota Australia announced a local electric-vehicle pilot trial with BHP, with the small-scale trial involving a LandCruiser 70 Series single-cab ute that had been converted to a battery-electric vehicle by Toyota Australia’s Product Planning and Development division in Port Melbourne.

A primary objective of this latest collaboration between the two companies is to work together across safety, engineering and product development teams focused on safety in light vehicles design and future state technologies and challenges.

Furthermore, the collaboration is designed to support BHP with its objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. By leveraging the combined expertise of Toyota and BHP, both companies are committed to BHP achieving this important target, BHP says.

This initiative showcases both brands’ commitment to embracing solutions for lowering vehicle operation emissions.

President and CEO of Toyota Australia, Matthew Callachor, said: “BHP is a key player in Australia’s export industry, and Toyota Australia is delighted to announce this collaboration which is designed to enhance safety measures at BHP’s Australian work sites and reduce vehicle operation and other CO2 emissions on BHP sites.”

Through this MoU, BHP will gain access to the knowledge and resources of Toyota’s expert engineering teams across Australia and globally and aims to support BHP in realising its broader decarbonisation goals.

The two companies will also collaborate on a decarbonisation journey map that will look at a range of options and alternative technologies to develop a comprehensive strategy that aims to achieve agreed targets, according to BHP.

BHP President Australia, Geraldine Slattery, said: “At the heart of our efforts to decarbonise our operations is an ambition to electrify our fleet of 5,000 light vehicles in Australia. Collaborating with leading suppliers like Toyota shows our clear commitment to developing shared solutions for a safer and more sustainable future.”

BHP Group Procurement Officer, James Agar, added: “Combining our engineering expertise and resources with Toyota is a terrific example of the approach we are taking with major suppliers to develop new technologies that will improve our safety and sustainability. It’s an exciting project and there’s plenty of work to do, but we’re up for the challenge and we look forward to seeing what we can do together.”

Once completed, the capabilities developed through the partnership are expected to provide a blue-print for other organisations seeking to safely electrify their light-vehicle fleets and contribute to decarbonisation, BHP says.