Sirius selects diesel/solar power tender

Sirius Resources has selected Belmont-based Zenith Pacific as its preferred tenderer to build, own, operate and maintain a combined diesel-solar power station at its Nova nickel project.

Zenith will install a 20 megawatt diesel/gas power station and 6.7MW solar PV facility at the site in Fraser Range.

German solar power station design and construction company Solea will assist Zenith with the installation and commissioning of the solar component of the station.

Sirius says that this will be the first time such a project will be commercially viable rather than reliant on subsidies or grants.

The solar power station will be constructed at zero capital cost to Sirius over a 20-week period.

The company claims the solar energy facility will reduce production of carbon dioxide at Nova by up to 8,000 tonnes each year, and lower costs due to savings of 3 million litres of diesel a year.

Sirius says the decreased need for diesel will lead to substantial net cost savings for the company.

Sirius shares were down 3 per cent to $2.89 at 11am Perth time.