Fortescue delivers first BYD battery to WA

Fortescue (ASX: FMG) has delivered its first large-scale BYD Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to North Star Junction (NSJ) in a move to decarbonise its Pilbara iron ore operations.

As part of Fortescue’s larger Real Zero strategy, the NSJ BESS is the first in a planned 4-5GWh rollout of large-scale energy storage systems.

The installation comprises 48 energy storage containers providing a total capacity of 250MWh and capable of delivering up to 50MW of power for five hours.

Powered by BYD’s Blade Battery technology, the NSJ BESS will store renewable energy generated during the day and supply green power to Fortescue’s Pilbara Energy Connect (PEC) network overnight.

Fortescue metals and operations chief executive officer Dino Otranto comments on the project.

“This is a big moment for Fortescue — we’re fundamentally changing the way we power our mines,” he said.

“These systems let us store solar power and use it when we need it most, helping us cut diesel and gas and run our sites on renewable energy.”

BYD energy storage and new battery application general manager Yin Xueqin comments on Fortescue’s decarbonisation efforts.

“Fortescue is leading one of the most ambitious mining decarbonisation programs in the world, and BYD is proud to support this transformation,” she said.

“The NSJ BESS is an important milestone for our partnership, and we will continue working closely with Fortescue to deliver the large-scale storage needed to power a green Pilbara.”

More plans for the PEC project include the next BESS installation, containing a 120MWH system scheduled for delivery and installation in Eliwana by early 2026.

Fortescue is also progressing construction of its 190MW Cloudbreak Solar Farm which is now almost halfway complete.