Industry taps Australia’s largest remote-grid solar farm

Australia’s largest remote-grid solar farm has been officially opened in Mount Isa. The 88-megawatt APA Group Dugald River Solar Farm (DRSF) is supporting MMG, Mount Isa Mines and New Century mining operations with solar energy firmed by gas from the Diamantina power station. Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines has a 15-year agreement to use up to 50 per cent of the electricity produced each year by the new solar farm, which is expected to cover 20 per cent of its long-term electricity needs. Related: Mount Isa Mines taps solar farm to cut emissions, costs MMG‘s Dugald River operation, about 65km north of Cloncurry, has been connected to the farm since April and says it covers more than 30 per cent of its power needs. The solar farm also supports APA’s goal to reduce the operational emissions intensity of its power generation infrastructure and demonstrates the company’s existing capabilities in delivering remote grid hybrid energy solutions. APA Group executive - operations Petrea Bradford said the new infrastructure demonstrated APA’s commitment to Mount Isa and provided a model for the Australian resources sector to decarbonise. “APA has invested more than $1 billion in energy assets in the North West Minerals Province and we are proud of our role in the local community as we continue to work to deliver safe, reliable and affordable energy to the region,” Ms Bradford said. “Dugald River Solar Farm is Australia’s largest remote-grid solar farm by megawatt capacity and its 184,000 panels cover an area 65 times the size of the Gabba playing surface in Brisbane. “It is also a great example of how we are executing our strategy to support customers in the resources sector to decarbonise, which will be essential if we are to reach our net zero targets. “The substantial new infrastructure required to achieve these emissions ambitions presents a significant growth opportunity for APA and our integrated assets in Mount Isa are a great example of our capabilities as we continue to execute this strategy in broader regions across Australia." Attending the official opening this morning, Glencore Zinc Assets Australia chief operating officer Sam Strohmayr said the company had welcomed the opportunity to partner with APA on a renewables project. “There are several benefits from this agreement - not only for us but also for the community," he said. "Mount Isa Mines is reducing its carbon footprint, and in the process using renewable energy to help produce energy transition metals"

Industry taps Australia’s largest remote-grid solar farm

Industry Queensland

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