Fortescue has commenced construction on the final solar installation to help it achieve Real Zero emissions by 2030.
The mining company has broken ground on its 690-megawatt (MW) Turner River solar farm in the Pilbara, while also beginning its 650MWh BESS at its Cloudbreak operations.
These projects form part of Fortescue’s Pilbara Green Grid, an integrated renewable energy ecosystem designed to power its Pilbara operations.
Once complete, and combined with the Solomon Airport, Cloudbreak and North Star Junction solar farms, Fortescue said it will have delivered all solar generation required to achieve Real Zero (zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions) across its iron ore operations, with total renewable capacity exceeding 1.4 gigawatts.
Turner River is expected to be completed in 2028, with over one million solar panels to be installed, while the Cloudbreak BESS is expected in the 2026–27 financial year, delivering 74MW of power for approximately eight hours through 124 battery units integrated into the Cloudbreak solar farm.
Fortescue has also completed commissioning of BESS at Eliwana and North Star Junction, while continuing to electrify its mobile mining fleet with electric excavators, drills, and a first battery electric haul truck expected before year end.
The company is also progressing a 133MW Nullagine wind farm and expanding high-voltage transmission infrastructure, which already spans more than 480km and is expected to exceed 620km once complete, connecting renewable assets to mines, rail and port operations.
“While others are still debating whether decarbonisation is possible, Fortescue is getting on with building what’s needed to do it,” Fortescue Metals and Operations chief executive officer Dino Otranto said.
“The technology is here. The economics are improving every year. And anyone watching global fuel markets can see exactly why electrification and renewable power matter more than ever.”
Fortescue executive chair Andrew Forrest is also advancing his renewable energy aspirations through Squadron Energy – owned by Forrest’s private company Tattarang.
In December 2025, Squadron – which is advancing as many as 14 wind farms across Australia – received $1 billion in financing to develop stage one of its Clarke Creek wind farm in Queensland.
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