First turbine erected at gold mine aiming for “net zero”, as blades for rare earths project arrive at port

The first of four wind turbines that will help supply up to 80 per cent renewables to the Bellevue Gold Project in Western Australia has been fully commissioned and is generating power at the remote mining site.

Off-grid power specialist Zenith Energy reported the major project milestone last week, alongside the news that the turbine blades for a hybrid power station that will help power a rare earths mine had arrived at the Port of Geraldton and are being transported to site.

Zenith Energy has been busy servicing a mining sector keen to burnish its social licence, save money on fossil fuels, and satisfy the growing low carbon supply chain demands of its major customers.

Source: Zenith Energy

The Bellevue project, in WA’s Eastern Goldfields, is a 90 megawatt (MW) hybrid power system combining wind, solar, thermal generation, and battery storage, that will supply the mine with up to 80% renewables and the ability to operate in “engine-off” mode when conditions allow.

Zenith says the powering up of the project’s first turbine – pictured above – supports Bellevue Gold’s vision to become Australia’s first net zero (Scope 1 and 2) emission gold mine, powered by one of the country’s most advanced hybrid energy systems.

The 65 MW Mt Weld Hybrid Power Station, which is being developed by Zenith for Lynas Rare Earths, will combine wind, solar, gas, battery storage and synchronous condensers.

The 6MW Goldwind turbine blades will be part of the project’s 24 MW wind farm.