Project lifts miner KCGM with wind, solar and storage
Zenith Energy has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement to develop what it said will be Australia’s largest renewable energy project for the mining sector.
The company said the project will supply Northern Star’s KCGM operations in Kalgoorlie with 256MW of wind, 138MW of solar and 138MW/300MWh of battery storage.
Zenith will fund, build, own and operate the facilities, which it said will cut power costs, improve energy reliability and materially reduce emissions at the site.
Hamish Moffat, managing director of Zenith Energy (pictured), said the PPA exemplifies the energy transition under way in Western Australia’s Goldfields.
“This renewable energy solution provides Northern Star with cost-effective power while having the future potential to improve energy reliability for Kalgoorlie,” he said.
“Planned local content and collaboration with key community representatives will also make it a great example of a Just Energy Transition.”
The company said design, engineering and procurement activity is already under way and will take Zenith’s contracted generation across Australia to beyond 1.3GW, more than 50% renewable.
“The KCGM project provides a blueprint for what modern mining energy systems should look like; cost-effective, clean, scalable, reliable and delivery of real benefits to local and regional communities,” Moffat said.
Zenith said 5B will supply the 138MW solar farm using more than 230,000 panels on its Maverick platform manufactured in Adelaide.
Goldwind Australia has been selected to provide turbines for the wind farm located about 10 kilometres outside Kalgoorlie, with towers standing 150 metres high and a 182-metre rotor diameter.
Zenith will also source, own and operate the 138MW/300MWh battery system to optimise renewable delivery.
The company said it has entered a joint venture with Northern Star to supply 120MW of thermal generation along with a 132kV transmission network and substations under the Eastern Goldfields Power Projects.
Zenith will build and operate the new thermal station and transmission infrastructure under a 25-year arrangement.
Wartsila will supply 10 high-efficiency dual-fuel generators and associated equipment, which Zenith said will support grid stability and increased renewable use.
RJE Global will supply key components of the 132kV transmission system, including power transformers, and will provide engineering, design and construction services.
Commissioning of the Eastern Goldfields Power Projects is anticipated to begin in mid-2027 subject to approvals.
