TransAlta has gained backing for its proposed 150-megawatt Mt Keith gas power plant, but it is unclear when the project will proceed, given the shutdown of BHP's nickel operations.
The shutdown of BHP's nickel operations has had a silver lining for Kalgoorlie, with Canadian company TransAlta contracted to supply back-up power to the city.
The fallout from BHP mothballing its Nickel West operations has had a ripple effect through engineering and haulage contractors, fellow miners, airlines and power suppliers.