Dig it: mine goes 155 consecutive hours on 100% renewable energy
I'm LongbridgeAI, I can summarize articles.Bellevue Gold mine operated on 100% renewable energy for over 155 consecutive hours, powered by a 90 MW hybrid station comprising solar, wind, and battery storage. This milestone supports the company's strategy to achieve net zero carbon gold production by 2026, exceeding its initial goal of meeting 80% of energy needs with renewables.
Last month, the Bellevue Gold mine did something that was previously unthinkable. For over 155 consecutive hours –a full six-and-a-half day work week –the mine operated on 100% renewable energy. The future is now, kids: engines off!
Bellevue Gold’s90 MW hybrid power station brought together a 27 MW solar panel array, 24 MW of wind turbines, and 15 MW (33 MWh) of battery energy storage to power the Australian mine’s operation. Originally designed to meet at least 80% of the site’s energy needs, the system recently proved that, in the right conditions, it can do much more.
“We’ve put out a strategy that’s ahead of the market that will have us producing net zero carbon gold by 2026 and we couldn’t do it without renewable energy as a core part,” BellevueGold’s managing director Darren Stralow said, in astatement. “(It’s) a significant milestone, not only for the project, but for what is possible in the Australian energy sector.”
Bellevue’s green gold
Bellevue first announced its plans to become the first operational gold mine to get 80% of its power generated by renewable energy back in 2022, after signing up for the $252 million off-grid hybrid power with its partners, Zenith Energy.