New 2.1 GW onshore wind farm will power Australian mine

Australian miner Fortescue has embarked on a plan to reduce its operations' environmental impact further. The company has applied for approval for a 2.1 GW wind farm, the biggest of its kind in the Down Under.

Fortescue will install up to 200 wind turbines, slashing its emissions by 1.5 million tonnes, or up to 70 percent, helping it get closer to its zero-emissions goal by 2030. The 2,318-hectare onshore farm will support its Iron Bridge mine near Marble Bar in Western Australia.

Fortescue already powers its mines with renewable energy. It is supplied by 60 MW solar farms in Chichester and will soon connect to another 190 MW solar farm in Cloudbreak. Its sustainability efforts also include replacing diesel-powered machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, and hauling trucks with electric options in a contract worth $4 billion.

Wind energy emerged as the top choice because solar would require more land mass. The company also considered wind turbines' ability to produce power even at night and on cloudy days. It says the farm capacity can increase depending on the efficiency of the turbines.

Fortescue may use Nabrawind's Nabralift self-erecting towers for the installation; the mining company is an investor in Nabrawind. The permit is expected to be granted in late 2026, with commissioning estimated to be in 2029.