Rolls-Royce and its agent Penske Australia have signed a contract with Contract Power for the delivery of 15 medium-speed gas gensets from Rolls-Royce’s Bergen Engines brand to power the Iron Bridge Magnetite Project in Western Australia, an unincorporated joint venture between Fortescue Metals Group subsidiary FMG Iron Bridge and Formosa Steel IB.

The gensets are based on the new Rolls-Royce Bergen 20-cylinder B36:45 gas engine, which was introduced to the global market at the end of 2018. The engine platform sets a new standard in power and efficiency with exceptionally low fuel consumption and emissions.

Through the Pilbara Generation Project, the Rolls-Royce Bergen gas gensets will be integrated with a 150MW solar PV farm and battery storage. The hybrid energy system will be connected to the new transmission network Fortescue is building in the Pilbara, ensuring that the right amount of electricity is supplied in a reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

Bergen Engines managing director Jon Erik Røv said: “The new Rolls-Royce Bergen gas engines are designed for different operating modes and can be used to generate base-load, peak power or operate in combined cycles.

“The engines are well suited for remote locations and have excellent capability to meet quick and frequent load changes, which is essential in microgrids.”

The new contract will be Rolls-Royce’s first project with medium-speed engines for stationary power supply in Australia.

Hamish Christie-Johnston, managing director of Penske Australia, said: “We are excited to partner with Contract Power on this critical infrastructure project as we introduce the Bergen medium-speed portfolio to the Australian market.

“Penske Australia sees this as an opportunity to set a new benchmark for medium-speed gas power stations in the Pilbara region and we are highly committed to the success of the project.”

Pacific Energy chief executive Jamie Cullen, parent company of Contract Power, said: “The Rolls-Royce Bergen B36:45 gensets are low-emission units with market-leading fuel efficiency, which will deliver low-cost clean energy to support Fortescue’s growing penetration of renewable energy in the Pilbara Energy Connect programme.”

The engines will be shipped from Norway in the spring of 2021.