EDL completes 56-MW hybrid micro-grid project for Aussie gold mine

Energy Developments Pty Ltd (EDL) on Monday announced it has finalised the 56-MW Agnew hybrid renewable micro-grid project it was building to power up a gold mine in Western Australia.

The project consisted of the delivery of 18-MW of wind power, a 4-MW solar farm, a 13-MW/4-MWh battery storage system and an off-grid 21-MW gas/diesel engine power plant, the Brisbane-based energy producer said.

The system is generating electricity for the Agnew gold mine operated by Johannesburg-based Gold Fields Limited (JSE:GFI) through Agnew Gold Mining Company Pty Ltd.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) supported the project with AUD 13.5 million (USD 8.7m/EUR 8.1m) in funding as part of its Advancing Renewables Program.

The Agnew hybrid project was implemented in two stages. The power station combining solar, gas and diesel was commissioned in late 2019.

Five wind turbines, storage and a micro-grid control system were added in the second stage. China’s Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology (HKG:2208) supplied the turbines.

In favourable weather conditions, the hybrid plant has delivered up to 70% of Agnew’s power requirements with renewables, EDL said.

The Australian company will own and operate the micro-grid under a ten-year agreement with Gold Fields.

(AUD 1.0 = USD 0.645/EUR 0.597)

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