Australian billionaire Forrest plans $7bn wind, solar and battery plant to green iron ore mines

Fortescue Metals Group proposes 5.4GW of turbines and panels plus huge storage to decarbonise Western Australia facilities by 2030

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison tours Fortescue Metals Group's mining operations with Fortescue Metals Group CEO Andrew Forrest (left).
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison tours Fortescue Metals Group's mining operations with Fortescue Metals Group CEO Andrew Forrest (left).Foto: Pool/Getty Images

Australia’s Fortescue Metals Group has unveiled plans for a vast wind, solar and battery storage plant to decarbonise some of the nation’s largest mining operations.

Fortescue submitted proposals for a 5.4GW renewables plant and battery storage as large as 9.1GWh to supply clean power serving its Pilbara iron ore mining facilities in Western Australia.

It reckons 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions would be avoided annually as a result of the project, which local reports said would cost about A$10bn ($7.2bn).

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