Fortescue has commenced construction of its Nullagine Wind Project in the Pilbara, marking a major milestone in the company’s plan to reach its Real Zero target.

The project is Fortescue’s first operational wind development and establishes the foundation for a broader portfolio of wind capacity to be rolled out this decade. The Nullagine Wind Project builds on strong momentum across Fortescue’s Pilbara renewable energy programme, with construction of the Cloudbreak Solar Farm now powering towards completion with over 300 000 solar panels installed.

The 133MW project will see 17 wind turbines installed, incorporating Nabrawind’s self-erecting tower technology following Fortescue’s recent acquisition of the Company. Supplied by Envision Energy, a global green technology leader and Fortescue partner, the turbines are designed for low-wind environments and engineered to withstand extreme weather, including cyclones. Envision will subcontract Nabrawind to integrate its Nabralift self-erecting tower system, delivering a hub height of 188 m – setting a new global benchmark for onshore wind and unlocking significantly higher energy yield. A Nabrawind-integrated turbine of this design has already been installed as a prototype at an Envision testing facility in China and will be relocated to the Pilbara in June 2026.

Fortescue Metals and Operations Chief Executive Officer Dino Otranto said: “Delivering Real Zero requires replacing diesel and gas with reliable, industrial-scale renewable energy. “Wind – alongside solar and batteries – provides the dependable, low-cost power we need to electrify our haul trucks, drills, processing plants, and rail across the Pilbara. “The Nullagine Wind Project will feed directly into Pilbara Energy Connect, strengthening supply by balancing daytime solar with strong night-time and seasonal wind generation. “With Cloudbreak solar well advanced and large-scale batteries already delivered at North Star Junction, this is a baseload renewable energy system that’s being built, tested, and delivered in real operating conditions.”

By 2030, Fortescue plans to deploy 2-3GW of renewable energy generation and battery storage, including a portfolio of wind and solar projects across the Pilbara, subject to land access and regulatory approvals. Future projects will be announced as they reach Final Investment Decision.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/26012026/construction-begins-on-fortescues-first-wind-project-in-the-pilbara/

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