Eastern Goldfields Power Project (KCGM -Super Pit)
Eastern Goldfields Power Project (KCGM -Super Pit)
The KCGM Project is a large-scale gold mining operation located in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia. Zenith Energy has been contracted to deliver Australia’s largest renewable energy power solution for the mining sector, supporting the decarbonisation of one of the country’s most iconic mining operations.
Aerial View on the largest Australian gold mine in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. The mine is operated as underground and open cast gold mine. Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia, Australia
Project Background
Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM), operator of the Super Pit in Western Australia, is one of Australia’s largest gold mining operations. Zenith Energy has been contracted to deliver a renewable energy project and in a JV with Northern Star Resources a dual fuel thermal power station to support the KCGM expansion while significantly reducing its carbon intensity. The project represents a major step in the decarbonisation of large, energy-intensive mining operations.
Renewable Integration
The renewable project integrates 256 MW of wind generation, 138 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity, and a 138 MW / 300 MWh battery energy storage system to deliver renewable power while managing intermittency.
How Zenith is Leading the Sector
Zenith Energy has entered into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Northern Star Resources to design, build, own, and operate Australia’s largest renewable energy project dedicated to mining.
This project increases Zenith’s portfolio renewable energy to 59% of its total contracted capacity, reinforcing Zenith’s leadership in large-scale renewable integration for the mining sector.
Installed Capacity
Wind: 256 MW
Solar PV: 138 MW
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS): 138 MW / 300 MWh
Total Renewable Capacity: 394 MW plus 300 MWh of storage
In addition, 120 MW of thermal generation will be delivered under a joint venture with Northern Star to ensure system reliability and continuity of supply.
Commercial Operation date
Commissioning is targeted for mid-2027, subject to environmental and regulatory approvals.
Contract Term
The project is underpinned by 25-year Power Purchase Agreements with Northern Star Resources. Under this long-term framework, Zenith will construct, own, and operate power solution including the associated transmission infrastructure.
Project name
Eastern Goldfields Power Project (KCGM -Super Pit)
Michael Buzzard is the Executive of IPP Growth at Zenith Energy, spearheading the company’s expansion in the independent power producer sector. With over 25 years’ experience in business development and commercial management, Michael specialises in sustainable energy solutions and strategic partnerships that foster growth and innovation.
Mark Sputore
GENERAL COUNSEL & COMPANY SECRETARY
Mark Sputore is an experienced in-house legal professional with 20 years of industry expertise. Since joining Zenith Energy in 2023 as General Counsel & Company Secretary, he has been responsible for overseeing legal, governance, and regulatory matters, ensuring compliance and strategic risk management. His extensive experience in corporate law and energy sector regulations supports Zenith Energy’s commitment to operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Abby Kenward
EXECUTIVE HUMAN RESOURCES
Abby Kenward is a Human Resources Executive with the ability to optimise businesses by effectively resourcing, managing, developing and deploying people. Over twelve years’ experience in implementing and managing HR & IR business functions, including; Resourcing, Remuneration and Benefits, Learning and Development, Performance Management, Employee Relations and Strategic Planning. This experience has been gained across a range of industries; consulting, oil and gas, engineering, construction and non for profits.
Dominic Da Cruz
EXECUTIVE ESG AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Dominic has 25 years international commercial experience with the past 15 years in senior executive energy sector business development and leadership roles. He has shaped strategy, business direction and led market development in renewables and microgrids across the public and private sector. Dominic has led a range of professional clean energy and microgrid projects as consultant and project director with energy utilities, remote communities, mining operations, commercial and industrial property developers. Dominic was responsible for the founding and building one of the longest standing successful private clean energy businesses in Australia. He was also the Project Director for the creation of a new statutory electricity corporation for the WA government with 800,000 customers
Tim Cipolloni
EXECUTIVE CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT & TREASURY
Tim joined Zenith Energy as Executive Manager Corporate Development in April 2021. He leads the Corporate Development Team, focusing on originating and executing the acquisition of new distributed energy solutions for Zenith. An experienced commercial and finance executive, Tim has held a number of finance and corporate development roles with South32 and BHP. Prior to his current role with Zenith, he was the Head of Treasury and Corporate Finance for South32. He has a Bachelor degree in Commerce and Law and a Master of Applied Finance.
Elvin Heng
EXECUTIVE CONTRACTS, COMMERCIAL AND PROCUREMENT
Elvin has over 25 years experience in the energy industry including as an upstream oil & gas industry executive across the LNG value chain for fixed and floating small to mid-scale Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in USA, Canada, China, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia & Papua New Guinea. Elvin is experienced in establishing new domestic virtual pipeline natural gas markets and expanding existing market offerings for the LNG fuels and power sector including initiating, evaluating and delivering sanctioned business cases to realize target ROI. Elvin has previously held executive management roles for an ASX top 50 energy operator delivering a baseload LNG project in Papua New Guinea, and for specialist SME consulting companies in the Australasian region supporting both onshore and offshore Exploration & Production activities.
Simon Jelly
CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER
Simon Jelly is a Specialist Electrical technician who has +20 years’ experience in the remote power industry. He is highly skilled in Gas, Diesel, and Hybrid renewable power stations, having designed, commissioned, and constructed numerous power stations throughout WA and the NT Mining Industries. Simon has strong leadership skills having grown a successful design and construction team at Zenith over 10 years. Simon has been responsible for designing, engineering and the construction of new projects, managing all technical aspects of the business including, operational efficiency initiatives, the tender process, as well as R&D.
Russell Purdy
MANAGER HSEQ
Russell has over 38 years’ experience in safety management roles across the mining, energy, power and drilling industries. Most recently, he was the Contract HSE/HR Manager overseeing Drillwest and Acqua Drill Resources through his own company RP Hazard, Risk and Training Solutions. Previously he held roles with BHP Billiton, Wesfarmers Energy (Kleenheat Gas), Western Power and Boart Longyear. Russell’s expertise includes risk identification and management, development and implementation of Management Systems to Australian Standards and ensuring a compliance focus with safety in design.
Graham Cooper
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Graham is an electrical technician and experienced manager having worked in the IPP industry with Doug for many years, he has over 30 years’ experience in designing, constructing, and operating, remote area’s power stations and renewable energy systems. He is responsible for, managing all engineering, project construction, and operational/maintenance aspects of the business, including the company HSEQ and Human resources teams.
Hamish Moffat
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Hamish has extensive experience in the downstream oil industry gained primarily in building markets in numerous sectors across Asia, Europe and the US. Hamish was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of a private commercial services company, which he sold into a major public services conglomerate in the second half of 2015. Previously he was the Chief Executive Officer of a privately held oil distribution company, which holds exclusive distribution rights to a major international brand and has performed roles as Segment Director and Marketing Director for one of the world’s largest oil companies.
Doug Walker
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Doug is a 35-year veteran of the power generation industry. He has designed and built more than 60 remote power stations across Australasia, initially through his own company, StateWest Power and later through Zenith Pacific, which he co-founded in 2006. StateWest was subsequently acquired by Wesfarmers Energy. Doug is recognised in the industry for his innovative thinking, both in finding effective solutions to difficult power generation problems and for creating the now widely-recognised Build – Own – Operate (BOO) approach to the establishment of remote area power plants.