Aggreko has finalised a deal to deliver Australia’s largest off-grid renewable hybrid power facility for Harmony Gold’s Eva copper mine project in northwest Queensland.
The energy solutions provider signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Harmony Gold, which will see Aggreko build, own, and operate a massive energy hub at the Eva copper mine.
This next-generation plant will integrate low emissions thermal generation with solar and battery storage infrastructure. The facility will include a 118 MWp solar far, a 104 MVA thermal power facility with the flexibility to scale as the project grows and a 250 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) to provide grid stability.
Aggreko AusPac Managing Director, George Whyte, described the agreement as a milestone for Australian mining.
“The scale of this renewable hybrid power station and the level of integration between solar, battery storage, and thermal generation set a new benchmark for off-grid energy,” Whyte said.
“Our long-term agreement reflects Aggreko’s commitment to partnering with industry to deliver lower emission solutions that are both commercially and operationally robust.”
The Eva copper mine project is poised to become the largest copper mine in northwest Queensland, targeting an annual production of 60,000 tonnes of copper.
By utilising this hybrid solution, Harmony Gold aims to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions intensity from day one.
The partnership also looks to the future, with Aggreko and Harmony investigating the integration of wind power and future connection to transmission infrastructure, ensuring the power solution remains flexible and evolves with the project’s long-term requirements.
Once operational, the renewable hybrid power facility will give the Eva copper mine project a reliable and scalable energy supply that optimises renewable use while ensuring consistent power for critical mining operations.