Gold Fields' Agnew gold mine now powered by Australia's largest hybrid renewable microgrid
(Kitco News) - Australia's largest hybridrenewable microgrid, and the first in the country to power a mine predominantlywith wind- generated electricity, was officially opened at the Agnew gold mineowned by Gold Fields.
Constructed, owned andoperated by global energy producer EDL, the 56MW microgrid powers Gold Fields'Agnew gold mine with an average of 50-60% renewable energy, even achieving upto 85% in favourable weather conditions, according to a press-release.
The Australian RenewableEnergy Agency (ARENA) provided $13.5 million in funding to the project as partof its Advancing Renewables Program.
The ARENA-backed microgrid projectwas developed and is now operated by EDL under a 10-year agreement to supplypower to the Agnew gold mine.
EDL CEO James Harman said theAgnew microgrid had showcased engineering excellence at every stage, from itsinception to its innovative integration of five energy technologies, and to itsnavigation through a bushfires and a global pandemic.
Gold Fields Executive VicePresident Australasia Stuart Mathews said, "Gold Fields is enormously proud tohave the opportunity to officially mark the delivery of our commitment tobuilding a modern, sustainable hybrid renewable energy solution at the Agnewgold mine."
"With demonstratedsuccess in construction and now operation, this project has provided aframework to take innovative energy solutions further across Gold Fields' minesites both in Australia and around the world," he added.
A leading global producer ofsustainable distributed energy, EDL owns and operates a portfolio of almost 100power stations in Australia, North America and Europe.
Gold Fields is a globallydiversified gold producer with nine operating mines in Australia, Peru, SouthAfrica and West Africa (including the Asanko JV), as well as one project inChile.
By Vladimir BasovFor Kitco News
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