BHP’s Flat Rocks wind farm in WA has hit another milestone, with over half of its 18 wind turbines now in place.
It is expected that Flat Rocks will provide enough renewable energy to fully power BHP’s Kalgoorlie nickel smelter and Kambalda concentrator once complete.
Part of a power purchase agreement between BHP and the Enel Group, construction at Flat Rocks began in mid-2022 and will help reduce Nickel West’s Scope 2 carbon emissions by approximately 32 per cent.
Nickel West asset president Jess Farrell was on hand to see the progress.
“When they are complete each wind turbine reaches 200m in height, but their small footprint allows for farming and other activities to continue around them,” Farrell said.
“This is especially impressive given the wind farm will provide renewable energy to our operations equivalent to the entire annual electricity consumption at the Kalgoorlie nickel smelter and Kambalda concentrator each year.”
Nickel West has signed an initial 12-year power purchase agreement with Enel Green Power for 100 per cent of the energy produced at Flat Rocks stage one, with options to extend.
“We are committed to finding ways to reduce emissions from our operations which is why we are investing in renewable energy projects like Flat Rocks stage one,” Farrell said.
“I am very excited to see this project coming along so well and look forward to its completion.”
Construction on the remaining turbines is expected to be completed in the next few months, with electrification expected in early 2024.
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