Pacific Energy inks deal for 30 MW hybrid power generation

The project is composed of solar and diesel power, as well as a battery system.

Pacific Energy is set to deliver a 30 megawatt (MW) hybrid power generation facility by Iluka Resources for its new Balranald mineral sands mine in southwestern New South Wales.

In a statement, the company said this is the second of its kind to be delivered in the state.

The power facility will have a 10.6 MW solar farm, 14.4 MW of diesel power, and a 5.4 MW/3.2 megawatt-hour grid-forming battery energy system. The system will be capable of hydrocarbons-off functionality and will be delivered under a 12-year build-own-operate agreement.

PBE Rutherford will install a 2-kilometre overhead powerline connecting the solar farm to the power station.

Site works for Pacific Energy’s permanent power system are expected to commence in June, subject to approvals, with the power station due to come online by the end of 2025 and the solar due for completion in March 2026.