Port Hedland: APA Group wants to build two major power lines after opening solar farm for BHP

Two major energy investments in the Pilbara have been given a boost by the State Government as plans to slash carbon emissions in the region gain momentum. The State has picked APA Group to build transmission lines through Hamersley Range and Burrup Peninsula, giving the projects priority status in the Pilbara Energy Transition Plan. The Burrup build will connect Woodside Energy’s planned solar farm at Maitland industrial estate to the Pluto LNG plant, while the Hamersley corridor links Newman to Port Hedland. Western Australia has access to $3 billion of cheap loans from the Federal Government’s Rewiring the Nation program to develop four new power lines through the Pilbara. “APA welcomes the opportunity to work with the Western Australian Government on its objectives to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and the rapid, orderly, and equitable transition to renewable energy in the Pilbara,” chief executive Adam Watson said. “We recognise the strategic importance of the region to Western Australia and the Australian economy. “Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to working with customers to deliver affordable, reliable and lower emissions energy to Australian industry as the nation transitions.” It came as ASX-listed APA launched a new major solar and battery project — expected to go online in January — to power BHP’s Port Hedland iron ore export operations. About 45 megawatts of solar power will be backed up by a 36.7MWh battery next to APA’s existing gas generation station. The State Government chipped in $1.5m for the battery. “It’s incredible to think that from commissioning early next year, the solar farm is expected to provide most of the daytime energy needs of our huge port facilities here in Port Hedland,” BHP WA Iron ore president Tim Day said. “This power purchase agreement is a step forward on BHP’s global pathway to decarbonisation, and it will also play an important role in the renewable energy future of the Pilbara. “From electrifying mining equipment and switching to renewable power sources like this, to partnering with the shipping industry and steelmakers to help them reduce their emissions, it’s all about doing our part for the global decarbonisation effort.” APA said powering the Pilbara with green energy would require about $15bn of investment. But the investment will help get green hydrogen exports off the ground and enable big miners to turn off diesel and gas, cutting operating costs and fighting climate change. The North West grid is remote and had developed separately, and disconnected, from Western Power’s network around Perth and the National Electricity Market on the east coast.