Zenith Strengthens Traditional Owner Role in Goldfields Energy Project

Zenith Energy has signed its first formal Project Services Agreement with Marlinyu Ghoorlie Aboriginal Corporation (MGAC), creating a pathway for greater Traditional Owner and local business participation in major energy infrastructure across the Goldfields.

The agreement will enable Zenith to engage MGAC on future opportunities associated with its Eastern Goldfields Power Projects, spanning project and procurement services, site services, equipment hire and local vendor engagement.

It creates a direct pathway for MGAC, Traditional Owner businesses and other local suppliers to access potential opportunities associated with the delivery of these major projects, while building business capability that can support future work across the region.

The renewables subproject is one of Australia’s largest renewable energy projects for the mining sector, comprising 256MW of wind generation, 138MWdc of solar generation and a 138MW/300MWh battery energy storage system to supply Northern Star’s mining operations in Kalgoorlie.

Zenith will fund, build, own and operate the renewable energy facilities under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Northern Star.

As construction progresses, the agreement gives Zenith a mechanism to identify and pursue opportunities to engage MGAC across project delivery and procurement, including connecting with Traditional Owner and local businesses that can provide goods and services required by the project.

This creates potential opportunities across equipment hire, logistics, storage, site facilities and other project services, helping more of the economic activity generated by the project flow through to businesses in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

Zenith is also looking to explore future opportunities for MGAC and its joint venture partners to participate in larger packages of work, including civil works, site services and other supporting services.

The longer-term ambition is to support MGAC to build its project management, procurement and delivery capability through exposure to major energy infrastructure, strengthening its ability to pursue larger work packages for Zenith and other projects across the Goldfields in the future.

Zenith Energy Executive – Business Development, Michael Buzzard, said the agreement was an important step towards ensuring the scale of investment in the renewables subproject creates opportunities beyond the infrastructure itself.

“This is a major investment in the Goldfields, and with that comes an opportunity to create broader economic benefits for Traditional Owners, local businesses and the wider region,” he said.

“This agreement gives Zenith a direct pathway to engage with MGAC as opportunities emerge and to support the Corporation in building the experience and capability that can open the door to larger opportunities in the future.

“We want to see the investment being made in the Goldfields contribute to stronger Traditional Owner businesses, greater local participation and employment pathways that endure well beyond the construction of individual projects.”

MGAC CEO Mark Champion said the agreement represented a significant opportunity for the Corporation, its members and the wider Goldfields community.

“This agreement with Zenith represents an important opportunity for MGAC to build our capability in areas such as project management and procurement and integrate that experience into the Corporation’s broader commercial activities,” Mr Champion said.

“It also creates opportunities for Marlinyu Ghoorlie owned businesses and other local businesses to be considered for the supply of goods and services as future project needs arise.

“Being involved in major projects like this can help MGAC build the experience and skills we need to take on larger opportunities in the future, while creating employment and career pathways for Marlinyu Ghoorlie people.

“Over the longer term, we want to build the capability to participate in future renewable energy projects across the Goldfields and grow the Corporation in a way that continues to deliver benefits to our members and the wider community.”

The agreement reflects Zenith’s commitment to ensuring major investment in Australia’s energy transition creates opportunities for Traditional Owners and regional businesses and delivers enduring economic benefits in the communities where it operates.