Solar Sales snares its largest project

SOLAR Sales has signed a contract with Rio Tinto subsidiary Hamersley Iron for the supply and installation of solar power systems to a section of Hamersley’s rail network that runs about 300 kilometres from Dampier to Tom Price.

In addition, Solar Sales will be supplying and installing solar power systems to Hamersley Iron’s radio base station network – what will become Australia’s largest remote area power supply system for the miner’s pastoral property Hamersley Station.

Solar Sales managing director John Hall said the projects would be worth about $8 million.

"This has been the culmination of several years work," he said.

Mr Hall said he was pleased Hamersley Iron had put their faith in solar energy over their existing 22,000 volt power line supply from Dampier.

Hamersley Iron exports about 70 million tonnes of iron ore from its mine sites every year and relies heavily on the signalling, communication and radio transmission network to meet shipping deadlines for the supply of iron ore to its clients.

Hamersley Iron specialist engineer Ken Edminston said the company had needed to replace its 22,000 volt line for some time and solar power had been seen as a credible solution.

Solar Sales has been involved with the renewable energy industry for the past 20 years.

"The industry worldwide has had sustained growth of between 20 per cent and 30 per cent over many years and I see this recent move as a reflection of our own growth and the confidence that our customers have in us," Mr Hall said.