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The Albanese Government will support a wind farm and battery project at Olympic Dam Mine to boost cleaner energy and job creation in South Australia.
Investing $99 million, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation aids Neoen’s Goyder wind farm, providing electricity to BHP’s copper mine. Olympic Dam, a significant copper mine 550 km north-northwest of Adelaide, holds one of the world’s largest copper deposits. Neoen’s Blyth Battery, located nearby, will support the cleaner and cheaper renewable power from the wind farm.
Upon completion, the wind farm will generate 203 MW, and the battery will store 477 MWh, meeting half of Olympic Dam mine’s electricity needs. Copper is crucial for clean energy manufacturing, essential for wind turbines, batteries, and solar panels. Mining companies increasingly invest in firmed renewables for affordable and clean power to fuel their operations.
The project will create over 400 jobs during wind farm construction and 40 at the Blyth Battery.
Speaking on the issue, The Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said, “It’s great to see clean energy powering mining – bringing together key national industrial strengths in renewables and resources, while creating jobs.The Albanese Government is excited to support a project that involves three vital things for Australia’s future – wind power, batteries, and strategic materials.”
