Australian iron ore miner Fortescue has installed its first large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at North Star Junction (NSJ), a significant step toward making its Pilbara iron ore operations run on green power.

The 250 MWh BESS, built with BYD’s advanced Blade Battery technology, provides 50 MW of power for five hours. This system stores daytime solar energy for use at night on Fortescue’s Pilbara Energy Connect (PEC) network, replacing fossil fuels.

This 48-container installation is the first in a planned 4-5 GWh rollout of storage required for the company's energy transformation. Fortescue CEO Dino Otranto said that the systems allow the company to store and use solar power when needed, aiding in the transition to renewable energy.

The next BESS installation is scheduled for Eliwana in early 2026.