Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 13, Idemitsu Australia has commenced full operation of its 5-megawatt (MW) solar farm at the Boggabri Coal Mine, marking a significant step in the mine’s efforts to integrate renewable energy. The solar farm, commissioned in late September 2025, will partially replace the mine’s grid electricity usage and is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 5,000 tonnes in its first year of operation.

Following this development, the company plans to integrate a 12.6 megawatt-hour (MWh) vanadium flow battery (VFB), which has already been approved for installation. Once operational, expected in late 2026, this VFB will become the largest of its kind in Australia, offering up to 6.3 hours of energy storage. The system is designed to store excess solar energy and deliver it during peak demand periods, enhancing grid reliability and further reducing reliance on conventional electricity sources.

The solar farm and VFB combination reflects Idemitsu Australia’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions within industrial operations. By incorporating advanced storage technology, the company aims to maximize the efficiency of renewable generation while ensuring continuous power availability for critical mine operations.

This renewable energy initiative is part of a broader strategy to lower greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to Australia’s energy transition. The integration of the VFB is expected to stabilize energy supply, optimize the use of solar power, and reduce the mine’s operational carbon footprint.

Idemitsu Australia emphasized that the project not only supports environmental objectives but also improves energy security for the Boggabri Coal Mine. The use of large-scale battery storage alongside solar generation represents a practical model for integrating renewable energy into industrial sites.

With the combination of solar and vanadium flow battery technology, the mine is projected to achieve more consistent electricity availability, reduce peak grid demand, and demonstrate the viability of hybrid renewable systems in the Australian mining sector. The project also underscores the potential of vanadium flow batteries as a scalable solution for industrial energy storage, offering long-duration discharge capabilities and stable performance over extended cycles.

The completed project will provide insights into grid-independent renewable energy operations and offer a reference for similar applications in other industrial and mining facilities across the region. Idemitsu Australia’s approach highlights the value of integrating solar generation with advanced storage to support sustainable operations and reduce environmental impact.

Overall, the Boggabri solar farm and upcoming vanadium flow battery project represent a milestone in Australia’s renewable energy development, combining clean energy generation, advanced storage, and emission reduction strategies to enhance industrial sustainability.