Project Background
The Bellevue Gold Project is a large-scale gold mining operation in Western Australia, aiming to lead the sector in decarbonisation. The project includes a hybrid power station that integrates renewable energy sources alongside traditional thermal generation to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Renewable Integration
The project includes 27 MW of solar, 24 MW of wind, and a 15 MW / 30 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), enabling “engine off” operations. This setup allows the project to run entirely on renewable energy during favourable conditions, meeting well over 80% of its power demand through renewable energy.
How Zenith is Leading the Sector
Zenith Energy is setting the standard by operating a 90 MW hybrid power station that combines solar, wind, and battery energy storage with thermal generation. This innovative approach supports Bellevue Gold’s goal of becoming the world’s first net zero (Scope 1 and Scope 2) emission gold mine, and by being Australia’s most renewably powered mine. The collaboration with Tjiwarl Contracting Services also highlights Zenith’s commitment to Indigenous engagement.
Installed capacity
- Wind: 24 MW, consisting of four GW165/6.0MW Goldwind turbines with a total height of 212M.
- Thermal: Gas – 15 MW, Diesel 9 MW, Total 24 MW
- BESS: Battery Energy Storage System of 15 MW/33 MWh
- LNG Storage and Regasification Facility
- Synchronous condensers: 1 x 5MVAr synchroniser condenser.
Renewable energy fraction
The goal is for approximately 80% of the project’s energy needs to be met by renewable energy, which is performing well.
Commercial operation date (COD)
May 2024.
Contract term
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for an initial term of 15 years.
Client’s decarbonisation objective
To significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by primarily operating on renewable energy. Bellevue Gold aims to become the world’s first net zero (Scope 1 and Scope 2) emission gold mine by utilising high levels of renewable energy and considering other emission reduction measures and the voluntary use of high-quality Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) for the residual hard-to-abate emissions.
Additional information
Zenith Energy and Bellevue Gold have partnered to establish an innovative 90 MW hybrid power station for the Bellevue Gold Project. The hybrid power station consists of wind and solar generation, thermal generation, and battery storage, enabling the project to operate on 100% renewable energy during periods of high renewable generation. This partnership also advances the Tjiwarl Katu Power Joint Venture between Zenith Energy and Tjiwarl Contracting Services, which represents the Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation, who are the Traditional Owners of the land where the Bellevue Gold Project is located.