Goldwind has delivered the first turbine components to Gold Field’s Agnew Mine, which will be the first Australian mine to use wind generation as part of a hybrid renewable microgrid.
The 17.85MW wind farm will consist of five GW140/3.57MW Goldwind turbines with 110 metre hub heights.
Goldwind announced in July that it had entered an agreement with global energy producer EDL to deliver the wind farm component of the project, which is located in Western Australia’s northern goldfields region.
EDL is designing, constructing, owning and operating the microgrid to power the Agnew Mine in two stages under a 10-year agreement with Gold Fields.
Goldwind, together with balance of plant joint venture partner NACAP, is currently providing engineering, procurement and construction services to the project.
It will also provide warranty operations and maintenance once the project is operational.
Goldwind Australia managing director John Titchen said: “We are extremely pleased to partner with EDL on the Agnew Mine project. Deliveries of the Goldwind turbine components are now underway.
“A total of 55 turbine components will be transported to site over the next few weeks. Installation of Goldwind turbines will start shortly.”
EDL chief executive James Harman said: “We look forward to working with Goldwind on the wind component of the project, which also includes an operating 23MW solar, gas and diesel power station and a 13MW battery and an advanced micro-grid control system under construction.
“Once completed in mid-2020, the Agnew Hybrid Renewable Project will have a total installed generation capacity of 54MW, with renewables providing over 50% of the Agnew Mine’s power requirements.”