Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation has submitted environmental approval plans for a giant wind farm and solar farm just south of Karratha - its second such project in the Pilbara.
Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation has submitted environmental approval plans for a giant wind farm and solar farm just south of Karratha in the Pilbara.
The Baru-Marnda Renewable Energy Project comprises up to 133 wind turbines with capacity of 1,000 megawatts and four solar array areas with capacity of up to 500 megawatts.
It includes an option for energy storage, and associated hardware and infrastructure.
YEC is a joint venture between Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation and ACEN Renewables and is making faster progress than most other renewable energy proponents in WA.
Baru-Marnda was one of just 10 WA projects to be included on the federal government’s listing of high priority renewable energy projects in WA, published in March.
The listing also included YEC’s proposed Chichester Range Corridor, which comprises high-voltage common-user transmission infrastructure linking its power station to the north-west grid via the Maitland industrial area near Karratha.
In its application to the Environmental Protection Authority, YEC said the project is located approximately 50 km south of Karratha on Yindjibarndi ngurra (country).
It will be located within a development envelope of 42,127 hectares, with potential to disturb up to 4,986 ha of native vegetation.
YEC said the environmental impacts of the project are anticipated to be time-bound, spatially limited and can be appropriately addressed through mitigation measures.
The Baru-Marnda project is additional to a smaller, nearby solar farm YEC plans to develop.
Project Jinbi comprises a solar farm of up to 150MW powered by about 325,000 panels.
It gained state environmental approval in February last year and planning approval from the Regional Development Assessment Panel last December.
Energy from Baru-Marnda will be made available for use throughout the Pilbara while energy from Jinbi is earmarked for the exclusive use of Rio Tinto.
YEC chief executive Craig Ricato said Jinbi would be the first project to get underway.
"We are progressing towards finalising an agreement with Rio Tinto, which, upon meeting key conditions, will enable the commencement of construction in 2026,” he said.
“We expect to complete construction of Project Jinbi in 2027, with commissioning expected in late 2027.
“Additionally, we plan to reach financial investment decision stage for the Baru-Marnda Renewable Energy Project in the same year, marking a significant advancement in our sustainable energy initiatives."
It is anticipated that energy from Jinbi will be fed directly into existing transmission infrastructure owned and operated by Rio Tinto, thereby avoiding the need for substantial additional transmission infrastructure, and making the Jinbi solar facility in effect a ‘ring fenced’ project.
Mr Ricato said the submission of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Baru-Marnda represents a pivotal milestone in YEC’s commitment to decarbonising the Pilbara.
“This significant step brings us closer to realising our vision of a First Nations-led, sustainable future for the region," he said.
YAC’s contracting arm Yurra is likely to work on the renewables projects.
Other companies pursuing major energy projects in the Pilbara include APA Group, BP and Fortescue.
The WA government selected APA Group in December last year to progress the Burrup (Murujuga) Corridor and East Pilbara (aka Hamersley Range) projects – both are common-user transmission corridors designed to link renewable energy generators and industrial customers.
Fortescue has lodged plans for up to 3GW of renewable energy projects in the Pilbara, including its 644MW Turner River solar farm and a 2.1GW wind farm.
BP is the majority owner of Australian Renewable Energy Hub, which has been in the planning phase for more than a decade.
AREH is also working on the proposed Pilbara Green Link, also known as the Great Sandy Desert corridor.
It involves the development of two 330kV transmission lines and is designed to link existing industry in the Pilbara with new renewable energy sources, including AREH’s proposed wind farm and solar farm.
