Construction has begun on two major clean energy infrastructure projects that Fortescue says represent the final solar installation required to complete its Real Zero decarbonization plan for its Pilbara iron ore operations.

Final Solar Piece in a Growing Renewable Grid

The Turner River solar farm, rated at 690MW, has entered the construction phase in Western Australia's Pilbara region. Alongside it, a 650MWh battery energy storage system is now under construction at Fortescue's Cloudbreak site.

Together, the projects form the latest additions to what the company calls its Pilbara Green Grid, an integrated renewable energy ecosystem designed to power its iron ore mining, rail, and port operations entirely from clean energy sources.

The Turner River project is described by Fortescue as the last solar installation needed to fulfill its Real Zero targets across terrestrial iron ore operations. When complete, it will join the already-built Solomon Airport solar farm at 440MW, the Cloudbreak solar farm at 190MW, and the North Star Junction solar farm at 100MW.

Combined, these four solar installations will deliver more than 1.4GW of renewable energy capacity, enough, according to the company, to power approximately half a million Australian homes. Construction of the Turner River farm is expected to be completed in 2028, with over one million solar panels to be installed during the build.

Cloudbreak Battery System Details

The Cloudbreak battery energy storage system, rated at 650MWh, is expected to reach completion in the 2027 financial year. It will deliver 74 MW of power over a period of approximately eight hours and will be made up of 124 battery units integrated directly into Fortescue's existing Cloudbreak solar farm.

The Cloudbreak project follows the completion of two other battery installations. Fortescue has confirmed it has finished commissioning battery energy storage systems at both its Eliwana and North Star Junction sites, which the company says strengthens its ability to deliver firm renewable power across the Pilbara network.

Transmission Network Taking Shape

Supporting the renewable generation assets is a growing high-voltage transmission network that Fortescue has been constructing across the Pilbara. The company has already built more than 480 kilometers of transmission infrastructure.

Once fully complete, the network is expected to extend beyond 620 kilometres, physically connecting solar farms, wind generation and battery storage assets to Fortescue's mines, rail facilities and port operations.

Construction also continues on the 133 MW Nullagine Wind Farm, which the company says will further diversify its renewable energy mix beyond solar and battery storage.

Fleet Electrification Running in Parallel

Alongside its stationary energy infrastructure, Fortescue is advancing electrification across its mobile mining fleet. The company currently has 16 electric excavators and one electric drill operating at its iron ore sites. Fortescue says approximately half of its excavator fleet will be electric by the end of 2026.

The company's first battery electric haul truck is expected to be operational before the end of this year. Supporting that rollout, Fortescue's first in-house developed 6MW fast charger has commenced commissioning.

The charger is designed to fully charge a haul truck in approximately 30 minutes and is intended to support the broader deployment of battery electric haul trucks across the Pilbara.

Additionally, prototype battery electric equipment developed by XCMG, including a wheel loader, dozer, grader, and water cart, has completed the final stages of facility testing and is preparing to travel from China to the Pilbara for site testing.

Leadership Commentary

Fortescue Metals and Operations CEO Dino Otranto framed the announcements as evidence that the technology and economics behind mining decarbonization are no longer theoretical.

"While others are still debating whether decarbonization is possible, Fortescue is getting on with building what's needed to do it," Otranto said. "The technology is here. The economy is improving every year. And anyone watching global fuel markets can see exactly why electrification and renewable power matter more than ever."

Otranto pointed to the simultaneous construction of solar farms, wind generation, transmission lines, and batteries as evidence of coordinated progress. "Our solar farms, transmission lines, wind generation, and batteries are being built right now across the Pilbara. We are moving first because the economics, the technology, and the national interest are all pointing in the same direction," he said.

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