Wind Turbines Arrive in St Ives for Gold Fields Renewable Energy Initiative

Key Takeaways

Seven wind turbines for Gold Fields’ St Ives Renewable Energy Project have arrived at Geraldton Port.
The components will be transported over 1,000 km to the St Ives Gold Mine, expected to take about two months.
Upon completion in 2026, the project will provide over 70% of the mine’s power, marking a significant renewable energy milestone in Western Australia.

Milestone for Renewable Energy Initiative

Seven wind turbines for the A$296 million ($194 million) St Ives Renewable Energy Project have been unloaded at Geraldton Port in Western Australia. The shipment, weighing over 2,000 tons, is set for a 1,000 km road journey to the St Ives Gold Mine near Kambalda. Key components include turbine blades measuring 80 meters long and weighing over 24 tons each, totaling a combined length of 1.7 km when lined up.

Simon Schmid, Gold Fields’ Principal Specialist and Project Director, expressed excitement about this landmark delivery for the project. He noted, “We’re excited to have our turbines onshore in Western Australia, marking another significant step towards delivering this industry-leading renewable energy initiative.” The transport, managed by RJA Engineered Transportation, will be carried out in increments, with completion expected in about two months. This operation will likely attract the attention of residents in the Mid West and Goldfields regions as the large components pass through.

The arrival of the turbine components follows the recent completion of seven concrete foundations at the project site, which were built using 800 cubic meters of concrete each to support the turbines. Upon completion, the St Ives Renewable Energy Project will feature a 42 MW wind farm alongside a 35 MW solar farm, covering an area of 2.5 square kilometers. Both farms are reported to be progressing on time and within budget, with construction and commissioning scheduled for completion in 2026.

Once operational, the renewable energy installations are projected to supply over 70% of the St Ives mine’s power, establishing the project as Western Australia’s largest renewable energy initiative at an existing mine site. This advancement marks a significant move towards sustainability and renewable energy solutions in the mining sector.

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