Stage one Flat Rocks Wind Farm hits construction milestone

Stage one of the Flat Rocks Wind Farm in WA has hit a milestone with more than half of the 18 wind turbines in place.

This wind farm is part of a power purchase agreement (PPA) between BHP and Enel Green Power — a leading multi-national renewable energy company.

Once complete, stage one of the Flat Rocks Wind Farm will provide enough renewable energy to fully power BHP’s Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter and Kambalda Concentrator every year, based on current requirements.

Nickel West Asset President Jass Farrell says it’s impressive to see the scale of the wind turbines and the co-existence of power generation and agricultural activities.

“When they are complete, each wind turbine reaches 200m in height, but their small footprint allows for farming and other activities to continue around them,” she said.

“This is especially impressive given the wind farm will provide renewable energy to our operations equivalent to the entire annual electricity consumption at the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter and Kambalda Concentrator each year.”

Nickel West has signed an initial 12-year power purchase agreement with Enel Green Power for 100% of the energy produced at Flat Rock Wind Farm stage one, with options to extend.

“We are committed to finding ways to reduce emissions from our operations which is why we are investing in renewable energy projects like Flat Rocks Wind Farm stage one,” Jess said.

Construction of the remaining turbines will be completed in the upcoming months with commissioning and electrification expected in early 2024.