Australian resource firm Liontown Resources has executed a Letter of Award with Australian independent power producer Zenith Energy for the supply of power to the Kathleen Valley Lithium Project in Western Australia. The LOA follows a competitive tender process and agreement on the key commercial terms. Zenith Energy will finance, design, construct, own, operate and maintain a 95MW hybrid power station at Kathleen Valley for an initial term of 15 years from commercial operation of the Hybrid Power Station, which is expected to coincide with process plant commissioning in H1 of 2024.The Hybrid Power Station will include wind generation from five wind turbines each capable of generating 6MW. A 16MWp fixed axis solar PV array coupled to a 17MW / 19MWh Battery Energy Storage System will provide additional clean energy, supported by highly reliable synchronous condensers that provide critical system stability and resilience. The thermal power component will comprise 27MW of gas generation and 5MW of diesel standby generation.Once fully constructed, the Hybrid Power Station is currently expected to have the largest off-grid renewable capacity of 46MW wind & solar plus 17MW BESS of any mining project in Australia. The need to achieve and maintain high levels of renewable energy penetration has informed the design of the Hybrid Power Station, such that the facility will be able to run in "engine off" mode for significant periods of time. A combination of incentives to produce renewable power over thermal power and a renewable energy guarantee should enable Liontown to meet and exceed its renewable energy factor commitments.
Australian resource firm Liontown Resources has executed a Letter of Award with Australian independent power producer Zenith Energy for the supply of power to the Kathleen Valley Lithium Project in Western Australia. The LOA follows a competitive tender process and agreement on the key commercial terms. Zenith Energy will finance, design, construct, own, operate and maintain a 95MW hybrid power station at Kathleen Valley for an initial term of 15 years from commercial operation of the Hybrid Power Station, which is expected to coincide with process plant commissioning in H1 of 2024.The Hybrid Power Station will include wind generation from five wind turbines each capable of generating 6MW. A 16MWp fixed axis solar PV array coupled to a 17MW / 19MWh Battery Energy Storage System will provide additional clean energy, supported by highly reliable synchronous condensers that provide critical system stability and resilience. The thermal power component will comprise 27MW of gas generation and 5MW of diesel standby generation.Once fully constructed, the Hybrid Power Station is currently expected to have the largest off-grid renewable capacity of 46MW wind & solar plus 17MW BESS of any mining project in Australia. The need to achieve and maintain high levels of renewable energy penetration has informed the design of the Hybrid Power Station, such that the facility will be able to run in "engine off" mode for significant periods of time. A combination of incentives to produce renewable power over thermal power and a renewable energy guarantee should enable Liontown to meet and exceed its renewable energy factor commitments.
