BHP, Brookfield's Neoen Sign New Renewable-Power Deal for Copper South Australia

By Rhiannon Hoyle

BHP Group has struck a new renewable-energy deal with Brookfield Asset Management's Neoen for its Australian copper operations, as the giant miner seeks to reduce emissions from producing a metal it views as essential to a global energy transition.

BHP said the new baseload agreement with Neoen, for 100 megawatts of renewable electricity, is the third and largest renewable-power deal for its Copper South Australia business, which includes the Olympic Dam mine, smelter and refinery, and the Carrapateena and Prominent Hill operations.

BHP already has a supply arrangement with Neoen for 70 megawatts that was signed in 2022 and began in July, as well as a deal with Spanish energy company Iberdrola.

The company expects to meet about 70% of Copper South Australia's power needs from renewable electricity in fiscal 2030, based on current forecast demand. The operations produced roughly 316,000 metric tons of copper over the year through June.

BHP forecasts a 70% jump in global copper demand by 2050, underpinned by decarbonization, rising living standards and population growth.

"Copper is one of the most critical minerals in enabling the global energy transition," Michiel Hovers, BHP's group sales and marketing officer, said.

"As global demand for copper continues to grow, BHP is making significant progress in lowering the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of our copper production in South Australia."

The latest deal will be supported by Neoen's Goyder North Wind Farm and battery, being developed near the town of Burra in South Australia state, BHP said.

The miner has pledged to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% by fiscal 2030, from an adjusted fiscal 2020 baseline.

Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 23, 2025 20:06 ET (00:06 GMT)