Fortescue starts construction of Australia’s biggest solar farm outside main grid, and giant eight-hour battery

Iron ore miner Fortescue says it has started construction of the biggest solar farm to be built outside of Australia’s main grid, as well as a giant battery as it continues its race to build a massive green grid and reach “real zero” emissions by 2030.

The 690 megawatt (MW) Turner River solar farm is its biggest project to date, the biggest in Western Australia, and in terms of capacity will only be beaten by Acen Renewables partially completed 720 MW New England solar farm in NSW.

Fortescue has also announced that construction has started on an eight hour battery – sized at 74 MW and 650 MWh big battery – that will be integrated with the existing 190 MW solar facility at its nearly complete Cloudbreak mine (pictured above).

Turner River will be the final piece in the company’s solar plans, taking its total solar capacity to more than 1.4 GW, and adding to the 440 MW Solomon Airport solar farm that is also under construction, the completed 190 MW Cloudbreak facility, and the 110 MW North Star Junction solar farm.

It also has the 60 MW Christmas Creek solar farm that was opened in 2021 and is now owned by APA Group, but which may also be expanded in the future.

The wind component – to total around 800 MW – is also taking shape, with initial works starting at the 119 MW Nullagine wind project that will feature the company’s unique “self lifting” turbines. A second stage is expected to be built at the nearby Bonney Downs.

Fortescue plans to complete its green grid by 2028, and then complete the electrification of all its mining equipment by 2030.

It is urging others to follow and has called for the capping of diesel fuel rebates for big miners to help accelerate their decision making.

“While others are still debating whether decarbonisation is possible, Fortescue is getting on with building what’s needed to do it,” CEO Dino Otranto said in a statement.

“The technology is here. The economics are improving every year. And anyone watching global fuel markets can see exactly why electrification and renewable power matter more than ever.  

“Our solar farms, transmission lines, wind generation and batteries are being built right now across the Pilbara. We are moving first because the economics, the technology and the national interest are all pointing in the same direction.” 

Fortescue says it has 16 electric excavators and an electric drill already operating across its iron ore operations, and expects around half of the company’s 70-srong excavator fleet will be electric by the end of 2026.  

It also expects its first battery electric haul truck will be operational before the end of the year. It says it has commenced commissioning of its first in-house developed 6MW fast charger that it says will be capable of fully charging a haul truck in approximately 30 minutes.   

It also says facility testing of XCMG’s prototype battery electric wheel loader, dozer, grader and water cart is now in the final stages, with the equipment preparing to make the journey from China to the Pilbara for site testing.  

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