The Federal Government has backed a wind farm and big battery project in South Australia, which will supply electricity to BHP’s Olympic Dam copper mine.
Neoen’s Goyder wind farm will be boosted by a $99 million investment from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and, once up and running, will generate 203 megawatts of electricity for Olympic Dam.
The enewable power will be backed up by Neoen’s Blyth battery, which will store 377 megawatt hours, enough to meet half of Olympic Dam’s electricity needs.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the project is important for the South Australian clean energy and resources sectors.
“It’s great to see clean energy powering mining – bringing together key national industrial strengths in renewables and resources, while creating jobs,” Bowen said.
“The Federal Government is excited to support a project that involves three vital things for Australia’s future – wind power, batteries, and strategic materials.”
The project is set to create over 400 jobs during the construction of the wind farm and another 40 jobs at the Blyth battery.
Copper from Olympic Dam is critical for clean energy manufacturing and is essential for making wind turbines, batteries, and solar panels.