EDL to deliver Australia’s first wind generated electricity in mining as part of hybrid renewable energy solution

Global distributed energy producer EDL is delivering an innovative hybrid renewable energy solution for Gold Fields’ Agnew Gold Mine in Western Australia’s goldfields region.

In an Australian first, the project will utilise wind generation as part of a large hybrid microgrid in the mining sector.

EDL CEO James Harman said the company was proud to be part of this ground-breaking project in partnership with Gold Fields, with support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

“This project represents a major step in Australia’s journey to sustainable energy and EDL is pleased to be an active contributor in this transition.

“We have leveraged learnings from demonstrated success in other hybrid renewable projects, which will enable us to provide Agnew Gold Mine with greater than 50% renewable energy over the long term, without compromising power quality or reliability.”

EDL is delivering the project under a 10-year agreement with Gold Fields in two stages.

Stage 1 is a new off-grid 23MW power station incorporating 16MW gas and 3MW diesel generation and 4MW photovoltaic solar, which is on track for completion in mid-2019. Stage 2 includes 18MW wind generation, a 13MW battery and an advanced micro-grid control system, with construction recently started and due for completion in 2020.