Australian mining company Fortescue has announced a $680m (A$952.44m) investment to expand green energy infrastructure in the Pilbara region in Western Australia.
The project aims to meet increasing industrial demand, including from data centres.
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Fortescue aims to develop the 200MW Pilbara Green Energy Project, providing additional renewable capacity beyond its Real Zero by 2030 strategy requirements.
This investment comes alongside a previously approved $6.2bn decarbonisation plan.
The project will feature a fully integrated off-grid renewable energy system including battery storage and firming capabilities.
Fortescue is targeting completion by 2028 and plans further expansions beyond 2030.
The company is responding to instability in global energy markets and a continued reliance on fossil fuels by pursuing energy independence. This initiative will allow the company to manage costs and supply entirely.
Fortescue’s Green Grid, central to its Real Zero target, plans to integrate 1.2GW of solar, 600MW of wind and 4–5GW-hours of battery storage by 2028, along with 620km of transmission lines. This initiative operates independently and is designed for scalable, steady power supply.
The capital management and project execution strategies used in Fortescue’s decarbonisation efforts will also guide the Pilbara Green Energy Project.
The company said it is collaborating with key partners and stakeholders such as government bodies and traditional custodians to develop the project.
Fortescue executive chairman Andrew Forrest said: “Fortescue is already demonstrating in the Pilbara that heavy industry can operate on a fully integrated renewable grid – eliminating fossil fuels while improving cost, reliability and control.
“We are now extending this model to new customers, particularly data centres, helping meet one of the fastest-growing sources of demand in the world.
“This is about replicating our Decarbonisation Green Grid, delivering new green electrons at a scale and speed to market not able to be replicated by fossil fuel.
“It enables a pathway for new industries to operate fossil fuel free, cheaper and faster than traditional alternatives.”
