Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 20, Fortescue has commenced construction of a 190-megawatt solar farm near its Cloudbreak mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. This initiative supports the company’s goal to eliminate fossil fuel use in its Australian iron ore operations by 2030, transitioning to renewable energy sources.

The company aims to achieve “real zero” emissions by 2030, replacing diesel and gas with renewable energy. Fortescue’s decarbonization plan includes developing solar and wind farms, transmission infrastructure, substations, and battery storage to meet its energy demands. “The aim is to transition Fortescue from using diesel power and gas to renewable energy by 2030. To achieve the 2030 target of real zero, a total capacity of 1,500 MW of solar PV generation is required,” the company stated.

The Cloudbreak solar farm, expected to begin operations in 2027, is projected to reduce Fortescue’s annual diesel consumption by approximately 125 million liters. This follows the recent commissioning of a 100-megawatt solar farm at North Star Junction near the Iron Bridge mine and the sourcing of power from the 60-megawatt Chichester Solar Farm, now owned by APA.

Fortescue recently submitted plans to Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority for a 644-megawatt Turner River Solar Hub south of Port Hedland, further expanding its renewable energy portfolio. These projects are part of a broader strategy to deploy 2 to 3 gigawatts of renewable energy and battery storage across the Pilbara.

In addition, Fortescue has secured a contract with Swedish manufacturer Epiroc to acquire over 50 autonomous electric drilling rigs, replacing older diesel-powered equipment. This transition is expected to cut annual diesel use by about 35 million liters. Dino Otranto, Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer, commented: “To decarbonize, we’re aiming to swap out around 800 pieces of heavy mining equipment with zero emissions alternatives by the end of the decade, as well as deploy 2-3 GW of renewable energy and battery storage across the Pilbara.”

The deployment of the electric drills will begin immediately, with the first rig set to operate at the Solomon mine in the coming days, having arrived earlier this month. These efforts reflect Fortescue’s commitment to sustainable operations, reducing emissions while maintaining efficiency in its iron ore production.

The Cloudbreak solar farm and related initiatives position Fortescue as a leader in renewable energy adoption within the mining sector. By investing in clean energy infrastructure and electric equipment, the company supports environmental sustainability and contributes to the long-term viability of its operations in Western Australia.