- Zenith Energy has signed a PPA with Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. for a 65-MW hybrid power station at Mt Weld Mine, WA.
- The power station will feature a 24-MW wind farm, a 7-MW solar plant, a 12 MW/12 MWh BESS, a 17-MW gas plant, and 5 MW of standby diesel.
- Zenith aims to complete the gas and diesel facilities by mid-2025 and achieve the entire operation, including renewables, by 2026.
Zenith Energy has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. This agreement supports a 65-MW hybrid renewable and traditional fuel energy system at Mt Weld Mine, Western Australia.
Zenith will design, build, own, operate, and maintain the new power station. The Mt Weld Power Station, located 35 kilometres southeast of Laverton, includes a 24-MW wind farm, a 7-MW solar photovoltaic plant, and a 12 MW/12 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). A 17-MW high-efficiency gas-fired plant and a 5 MW standby diesel generation system support these renewable components.
Zenith is already on-site, conducting early construction activities according to agreements from 2023. Amanda Lacaze, CEO and Managing Director of Lynas, confirmed the existing diesel power plant at Mt Weld will cease operations once the gas-fired facility is complete.
“Transitioning from diesel to a gas-firmed hybrid renewable power station is crucial for our emissions reduction strategy,” Lacaze stated.
Zenith plans to complete the new diesel and gas-fired facilities by the first half 2025. Solar and BESS installations will follow progressively, with entire operations expected by 2026. The 15-year PPA will start with the wind farm’s commercial operation, which is also set for 2026.
The Mt Weld Power Station aims for an average annual renewable energy share of up to 70%. It can operate “engine-off” during high renewable energy production periods.
“This PPA is a significant milestone for Zenith Energy. Our contracted wind capacity now exceeds 100 MW,” said Hamish Moffat, CEO and Managing Director of Zenith Energy.
Zenith operates 15 remote power generation facilities across Western Australia and the Northern Territory, with a combined capacity exceeding 650 MW.