Fortescue delivers first large scale BYD Battery Energy Storage System to North Star Junction – Global Mining Review

Fortescue Advances Decarbonization with Inaugural Battery Energy Storage System Installation in Pilbara

Project Overview and Strategic Importance

Fortescue has achieved a significant milestone in its strategy to decarbonize its Pilbara iron ore operations with the delivery of its first large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to the North Star Junction (NSJ). This installation represents the initial phase of a planned 4-5GWh rollout of large-scale energy storage, which is fundamental to the company’s long-term goal of transitioning its energy supply away from fossil fuels. The project’s core objective is to facilitate a shift towards renewable energy sources, directly contributing to global sustainability targets.

Technical Specifications and Operational Impact

The NSJ BESS is designed to provide critical grid stability and enable the replacement of fossil-fueled power generation with renewable energy. Its primary function is to store solar energy generated during the day for distribution across the Pilbara Energy Connect (PEC) network during nighttime hours.

• Technology: The system utilizes BYD’s advanced Blade Battery technology, engineered for high safety, reliability, and performance, including liquid cooling systems suited for the Pilbara’s climate.
• Total Capacity: 250MWh.
• Power Delivery: Capable of delivering 50MW of power for a duration of five hours.
• Physical Infrastructure: The installation consists of 48 individual energy storage containers.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This initiative demonstrates a strong commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, integrating climate action and sustainable practices into core business operations.

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: By installing large-scale battery storage, Fortescue is directly increasing the share of renewable energy in its operational energy mix (Target 7.2). The BESS makes solar power a reliable, 24-hour source of clean energy for its industrial activities.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The project represents a significant upgrade of industrial infrastructure to make it more sustainable (Target 9.4). The adoption of advanced BESS technology is an innovation that promotes clean and environmentally sound industrial processes within the mining sector.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action: The primary goal of replacing diesel and gas generation with stored renewable energy is a direct measure to combat climate change (Target 13.2). This project serves as a tangible corporate strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operations.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The collaboration between Fortescue, a leader in the mining industry, and BYD, a technology provider, exemplifies a cross-sector partnership (Target 17.17) essential for achieving sustainable development goals through shared technology and expertise.

Future Outlook and Related Initiatives

The NSJ BESS is part of a broader, integrated decarbonization program. Fortescue is concurrently advancing several other key projects to support its transition to green energy:

• Eliwana BESS: A second BESS installation with a 120MWh capacity is scheduled for delivery and installation at Eliwana in early 2026.
• Cloudbreak Solar Farm: Construction of the 190MW solar farm is progressing, with the project now almost 50% complete.
• Pilbara Energy Connect (PEC): Over 460 km of transmission lines have been constructed as part of this critical infrastructure project to connect renewable energy sources with operational sites.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

Based on the article, the following SDGs are connected to Fortescue’s project to decarbonise its iron ore operations:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The core of the article focuses on shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy by installing a large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to store solar power. This directly addresses the goal of increasing access to and reliance on clean energy.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The project involves building new, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure (the BESS, solar farms, and transmission lines) and represents a significant technological upgrade for the mining industry to make its operations cleaner and more environmentally sound.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: By aiming to “cut diesel and gas” and “replace fossil fuelled generation,” Fortescue is actively working to make its production patterns more sustainable and reduce its reliance on finite natural resources.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The entire initiative is framed as a “mission to decarbonise,” which is a direct action to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its operations.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article details how the BESS will “store renewable energy generated during the day and supply green power” at night, which is a direct effort to increase the use of renewable energy in its operations.
   • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The partnership between Fortescue and the technology provider BYD to implement “advanced Blade Battery technology” is an example of international cooperation and investment in clean energy infrastructure.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. Fortescue is retrofitting its energy infrastructure by installing the BESS and building a solar farm, which are “clean and environmentally sound technologies” designed to make its mining operations sustainable.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The project’s goal to “cut diesel and gas” directly relates to reducing the consumption of fossil fuels, which are non-renewable natural resources.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. While this is a national-level target, Fortescue’s corporate strategy, described as “one of the most ambitious mining decarbonisation programs in the world,” demonstrates the integration of climate action into its core business planning.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article provides several specific, quantifiable metrics that can serve as indicators for measuring progress towards the identified targets:

1. Indicators for SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

   • Total planned storage capacity: The article mentions a “planned 4-5GWh rollout of large-scale storage systems,” which is a direct measure of the scale of renewable energy integration.
   • Capacity of individual BESS units: The first installation has a “total capacity of 250MWh” and can deliver “up to 50MW of power for five hours.” The next installation at Eliwana will be a “120MWh system.” These are specific metrics of new clean energy infrastructure.
   • Renewable energy generation capacity: The construction of the “190MW Cloudbreak Solar Farm” is a quantifiable indicator of increased renewable energy generation.

2. Indicators for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

   • Investment in sustainable infrastructure: The article details the installation of the BESS, the construction of a solar farm, and the building of “more than 460 km of transmission lines,” all of which represent investment in upgrading infrastructure to be more sustainable.
   • Adoption of clean technologies: The use of “BYD’s advanced Blade Battery technology” is a specific example of adopting a clean and environmentally sound technology to decarbonize industrial processes.

3. Indicators for SDG 12 & 13 (Responsible Production & Climate Action)

   • Reduction in fossil fuel consumption (implied): The stated goal of the project is to “cut diesel and gas” and “replace fossil fuelled generation.” While the article doesn’t provide specific reduction figures, the implementation of the BESS and solar farm serves as a proxy indicator for progress towards this goal. The company’s mission to “decarbonise its Pilbara iron ore operations” is a strategic measure aligned with climate action.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary Table

Source: globalminingreview.com