Westgold Resources Limited (ASX: WGX) has completed the game changing completion of commissioning and commencement of operation of the first of four new hybrid power facilities across its Western Australian operations.
The new 17.9 MW facility at Tuckabianna, located 20km east of Cue, replaces the existing diesel fired power station delivering a reduction of approximately 15kt of CO2 equivalent emissions and 10 million litres of annual diesel fuel consumption.
“Westgold continues to innovate to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and drive our operating costs down. This new hybrid power facility at Tuckabianna incorporates renewable energy and is a great first step along this journey, with power generated from these facilities energising our mines and processing hubs for decades to come,” Westgold Managing Director, Wayne Bramwell, said.
“The successful commissioning of Tuckabianna is a testament to the tireless work of Westgold’s project and operational teams, business partners at Pacific Energy and CEFA and construction crews who have delivered our first power station safely and on schedule. “
Westgold’s Transition to Hybrid Power Generation
The Tuckabianna Hybrid Power facility incorporates:
In addition to the now operational Tuckabianna facility, a further three new hybrid power facilities are being constructed across the Group at Bluebird, Fortnum and Big Bell. With a combined installed capacity of 82MW, all facilities are expected to be online and powering Westgold’s operations by Q3 FY24.
These facilities are expected to reduce Westgold’s annual diesel fuel consumption by 38 million litres and lower annual CO2 equivalent emissions by approximately 57,000 tonnes. Westgold expects its All-In Sustaining Cost to reduce by approximately $60/oz1 due to lower cost energy being provided by these new hybrid power facilities.
The new facilities are central to Westgold’s Clean Energy Transition initiative, with the gas-fired power stations, battery storage and solar farms owned and operated by Pacific Energy under an Electricity Purchase Agreement, and the LNG provided by Clean Energy Fuels Australia (CEFA) under an LNG supply agreement.