Perth-based civil contractor NRW Holdings has been awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to deliver a 34 MW solar + battery energy storage system at Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri mine in Western Australia’s (WA) Pilbara region.
The project will comprise an estimated 100,000 solar panels accompanied by a 12 MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system that will provide spinning reserve generating capacity to support a stable and reliable network. This includes a 33 kV substation which will be integrated into Rio Tinto’s overall infrastructure, including remote control and monitoring via the company’s remote operation center in Perth.
With construction set to begin next month and conclude in 2022, the solar plant is expected to supply all of Gudai-Darri’s electricity demand during peak solar power generation times and approximately 65% of the mine’s average electricity demand.
The works include the design, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning of all equipment associated with the solar energy system. Construction and commissioning are scheduled for completion in early 2022.
