chichester solar gas hybrid project (CSGHP)

APA Group owns and operates the 60MW Chichester Solar Photovoltaic (PV) generation facility and interconnecting transmission line network, which supplies zero emission renewable energy for large mining customers in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Network infrastructure operating prior to CSGHP

Chichester Hybrid Project-01.jpg

New infrastructure added to the network due to CSGHP

Chichester Hybrid Project-02.jpg

Overview

Owner, operator APA Group

Project name Chichester Solar Gas Hybrid Project

Location Pilbara, Western Australia

Project commencement 2020

Project operational 2021

Generating capacity (solar) 60MW

Battery Energy Storage System Max output 35MW

Battery Energy Storage System capacity 11.4 MWh

Hybrid energy supply for iron ore operations

APA powers the Chichester Hub iron ore operations with renewable energy, up to 100% of it's daytime operational demand.

New infrastructure

The project consists of:

a new 60MW solar photovoltaic (PV) generation facility at the Chichester Hub iron ore operations
a ~60-kilometre transmission line linking the Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak mining operations with APA's Newman gas-fired power station and 35MW battery facility.

Government support towards cleaner, more affordable, and connected energy supply

On behalf of the Australian Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has provided funding support of $24.2 million for the Project as part of its Advancing Renewables Program. The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) has also provided a loan of approximately $90 million for the Project. The operation of the 60MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) generation facility and interconnecting transmission line network is expected to displace approximately 100 million litres of diesel generation annually.