One of the most ambitious clean energy commitments ever undertaken by Australia’s mining sector, Zenith Energy has announced a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Northern Star Resources.
The agreement will underpin a major new hybrid renewable energy system for Northern Star’s Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) Operations in Western Australia’s Goldfields.
The Eastern Goldfields Power Projects will comprise 256 megawatts (MW) of wind, 138 MW of solar, and 138 MW / 300 megawatt-hour (MWh) of battery energy storage, supported by 120 MW of thermal generation supplied through a new joint venture between Zenith Energy and Northern Star.
Zenith Energy will fund, build, own and operate the new renewable facilities, with the long-term goal of delivering lower power costs, greater energy reliability and material emissions reduction for KCGM.
Hamish Moffat, Managing Director at Zenith Energy, said the PPA reflects the scale and maturity of the clean energy transition now unfolding across Western Australia’s Goldfields.
“This renewable energy solution provides Northern Star with cost-effective power while having the future potential to improve energy reliability for Kalgoorlie,” he said.
“Planned local content and collaboration with key community representatives will also make it a great example of a Just Energy Transition.”
Moffat added that design, engineering and procurement activities are already underway.
Once operational, the project will take Zenith Energy’s contracted national generation portfolio to more than 1.4 GW. Over half of which will be renewable.
“The KCGM project provides a blueprint for what modern mining energy systems should look like: Cost-effective, clean, scalable, reliable and delivering real benefits to local and regional communities,” Moffat said.
Australian-made solar and wind
Australian manufacturer 5B has been selected to supply the 138 MW solar farm. This project will be the largest solar installation ever deployed at an Australian mining site. More than 230,000 solar panels will be installed using 5B’s rapidly deployable Maverick platform, manufactured in Adelaide.
For the wind component, Goldwind Australia will deliver turbines standing 150 metres high with 182 metre rotors. This wind turbine installation will be among the largest ever installed in Australia. The wind farm will be located approximately 10 kilometres outside Kalgoorlie, capturing regional wind resources to strengthen the renewable mix.
Zenith will also build, own and operate the 138 MW / 300 MWh battery energy storage system, ensuring renewable generation is optimised and able to support consistent supply.
Thermal generation and transmission
Alongside the renewable PPA, Zenith and Northern Star have entered a joint venture to deliver 120 MW of thermal generation, a 132 kilovolt (kV) transmission network, and multiple substations.
Wärtsilä will supply ten high-efficiency dual-fuel generators with advanced grid-support capabilities. This will allow for increased renewable penetration and the production of the essential voltage and frequency stability required.
Adelaide-based RJE Global will supply key components of the 132 kV transmission system and deliver engineering, design and construction services.
Commissioning of the Eastern Goldfields Power Projects is expected to begin in mid-2027, subject to environmental and regulatory approvals.