The Pilbara plots its path from diesel to clean, green mining
A cyclone-proof solar farm in Port Hedland is the starting point for the decarbonisation of Australia’s mining heartland, with new transmission to do much of the work.
On an 80-hectare patch of red dirt about 20 kilometres inland from the world’s biggest bulk handling port, the 120,000 solar panels of the Port Hedland solar farm represent the most significant milestone so far in the mammoth task of decarbonising the engine of Australia’s economy.
There, energy from APA Group’s solar farm in Western Australia’s Pilbara – where construction was completed this week – will power BHP’s heavy-duty loading activities at the harbour for five hours over the peak midday period.
Angela Macdonald-SmithSenior resources writerAngela Macdonald-Smith writes on the resources industry with a focus on energy, including gas, oil, electricity and renewables. Connect with Angela on Twitter. Email Angela at amacdonald-smith@afr.com
