Fortescue awarded $10 million ARENA grant to develop fast charger

Fortescue has announced it has been awarded $10 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to develop a 6 MW fast charger test unit. The project involves building, testing and validating multiple test unit chargers with the aim to deploy the first production 6 MW charger by the end of 2025.

Developed by Fortescue Zero, the 6 MW fast charger will be compatible with a wide range of battery electric heavy mining equipment and designed to meet all operational requirements.

“As part of our decarbonisation plan, we intend to roll out around 250 fast chargers of varying capacities across our iron ore operations before the end of this decade,” said Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer Dino Otranto. “Not only will this project serve as a catalyst for demand from external heavy industry customers, but it will also enable a significant reduction in emissions.”

Fortescue Zero Chief Executive Officer Ellie Coates said: “These innovative chargers are designed to be a safe, rugged, high-power and scalable fast-charging solution for multiple different vehicle applications.

“Leveraging our world-class capability in battery and charging solutions from motorsport, the fast chargers have been developed for the challenging conditions of the Pilbara. Equipped with robotic connection options, they will be able to power Fortescue’s future 240-tonne Liebherr T 264 battery electric trucks in just 30 minutes.”

“Heavy haulage trucks are integral to the function of Western Australia’s mining operations, but at present are reliant on fossil fuels, which means unwanted pollution, cost volatility and energy insecurity,” said Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson. “Fortescue’s fast charger development is a smart and forward-looking project that will help Western Australia’s mining sector electrify their operations and contribute to the critical task of decarbonising our economy.”

Both charger test and early production units will be assembled and undergo factory acceptance testing at Fortescue Zero’s Research and Development facility in Perth prior to their deployment onsite.