When it comes to climate commitments, Fortescue is showing that heavy industry can decarbonise profitably and rapidly.
Fortescue is accelerating its Real Zero journey, forging global partnerships to turn ambition into action. The company’s latest collaborations bring together some of the world’s most advanced technology and manufacturing leaders. The partnerships include BYD, LONGi, XCMG, Envision Energy and Liebherr, together with its newly consolidated renewable technology company Nabrawind.
Together, these alliances connect Fortescue’s operational expertise in the Pilbara with innovation and manufacturing powerhouses across the globe, creating a global network designed to deliver Real Zero at industrial scale.
Fortescue’s decarbonisation program is already taking shape across its Pilbara operations. Major renewable energy infrastructure is under construction and solar farms are already beginning to power the network with clean energy.
A 100MW solar farm at North Star Junction is now generating 180GWh of energy annually, enough to supply around 25 per cent of Iron Bridge’s power needs with renewables. Construction is also progressing on the 190MW Cloudbreak solar farm, which will be capable of generating enough power for the equivalent of more than 70,000 households once operational.
To connect these renewable assets, Fortescue has expanded its high-voltage network, adding roughly 140km of transmission lines. This brings the total installed transmission lines to 460km across the Pilbara.
Two large-scale battery energy storage systems – 250MWh at North Star Junction and 120MWh at Eliwana – are also being installed to balance renewable supply and stabilise energy across mine sites.
According to Fortescue director of mining operations Steve Cole, the transformation is already visible.
“We have 10 electric excavators operating across our sites, with another two about to be commissioned. You can see the difference in the pit every day,” Cole said. “We’re now expanding that momentum across other equipment, too.
“Our first electric drill is already in operation and it’s performing exceptionally well, with another four assets already on order. These aren’t trials, they’re working assets, delivering tonnes and value.”
Fortescue’s approach to decarbonisation is ambitious yet straightforward: eliminate fossil fuels – without offsets or carbon capture storage – by uniting global partners and deploying solutions at scale.