Australian mining giant Fortescue is advancing its renewable energy initiatives, aiming for “Real Zero” emissions by 2030 without using voluntary carbon offsets.
In its latest quarterly report, the company highlighted several key developments in its green energy portfolio.
The company has begun commissioning a 100-megawatt solar farm at North Star Junction. Once fully operational, this facility is expected to reduce Fortescue’s carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by up to 180,000 tonnes annually.
Fortescue’s hydrogen-powered battery electric haul truck prototype has operated on hydrogen for the first time. The company plans to transport this vehicle to its Christmas Creek site for further commissioning and testing.
The company’s Pecem Green Hydrogen Project in Brazil has advanced to the feasibility stage, including the commencement of Front End Engineering Design.
A Fortescue-Actis consortium has been awarded rights to develop green hydrogen projects in Oman.
The company has signed its first contracts for the sale of electrolysers from its facility in Gladstone, Queensland.
Mark Hutchinson, CEO of Fortescue Energy, emphasised the company’s commitment to green hydrogen.
“As we lead the world in industrial decarbonisation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to green hydrogen. Our financial discipline will ensure that we focus hard only on those projects that are economic and deliver best value for shareholders,” he said.
“We continue to progress our initial four green hydrogen projects across Australia, the United States, Norway and Brazil, which each draw on the unique strengths of the countries they are in. Projects in Morocco, Oman, Egypt and Jordan will follow next, while we maintain a further pipeline of opportunities that will progress when power prices fall sufficiently to bring them to economic viability and global demand for green hydrogen increases.”
The company has also finalised a multi-year deal with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) to use Fortescue’s battery intelligence software, Elysia, in JLR’s next-generation electric vehicles.
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