The Diplomat
Iberdrola has been selected by Anglo-Australian multinational BHP to supply 100% renewable energy to its Olympic Dam mining project, one of the world’s largest underground copper, gold and uranium deposits, located in southern Australia, reports Europa Press.
The green power supply will start in mid-2022 and will enable BHP to reduce emissions from Olympic Dam’s electricity consumption by 50% by 2025, contributing to its overall target of a 30% reduction in scope one and two emissions by 2030.
The long-term power purchase agreement includes a specific PPA on output from Port Augusta, Iberdrola’s first wind-solar hybrid farm in the world and the largest in Australia.
This project, located in the state of South Australia and with a capacity of 340 megawatts of power (thanks to its 50 wind turbines and 250,000 solar panels) will supply around half of the electricity needed for Olympic Dam.
The facility, which has cost Iberdrola A$500 million, generates enough clean energy to supply the equivalent demand of 180,000 homes per year. The project, which employs 200 people, involves global, Australian and Spanish suppliers such as Elecnor, Vestas, Longi and Sterling & Wilson.
The contract also includes an innovative mechanism whereby BHP will purchase Large Scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) for 100% of the contracted energy until 2025.
