Powering the Kimberley with reliable gas and battery storage
In 2023, Pacific Energy commissioned a 16MW power system for Kimberley Mineral Sands’ Thunderbird Mineral Sands Project, located 70 kilometres west of Derby in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.
Delivered under a 15-year power purchase agreement, the system includes a 14MW high-efficiency, low-emissions gas power station, a 2MW battery energy storage system (BESS), and an on-site LNG storage and re-vaporisation facility with 10 days of storage capacity. The BESS provides virtual spinning reserve, emergency backup, and enhanced system stability.
The agreement also allows for the future integration of solar energy, creating a pathway to expand the hybrid system as mining operations and demand grow.
Thunderbird represents a significant milestone for Kimberley Mineral Sands as it establishes its position as a new producer in the global mineral sands market, supported by Pacific Energy’s reliable, scalable and lower-emissions power solution.
