Zenith Energy inks PPA for hybrid power project in Western Australia

This will have solar and wind farms. 

Zenith Energy has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Lynas Rare Earths to design, build, own, operate, and maintain the hybrid Mt Weld Power Station at Lynas’ Mt Weld Mine located 35 kilometres south-east of Laverton, Western Australia.

In a statement, Zenith Energy said the facility will feature a 24-megawatt (MW) wind farm, a 7-MW solar photovoltaic farm, and a 12 MW/12-megawatt-hours battery energy storage system (BESS). This will be supported by a 17 MW high efficiency gas fired power station, with 5 MW of standby diesel generation. 

Upon completion, the Mt Weld Power Station will have a total installed capacity of 65 MW.

The PPA has a 15-year term starting from the commercial operation of the wind farm expected in 2026. The diesel and gas facilities are scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2025, with solar and BESS to be installed progressively, and full operation expected in calendar year 2026.

Zenith Energy has commenced early construction works for the Mt Weld project following the finalisation of the preliminary and early works agreements with Lynas in 2023.