FEATURE
Energy provider gives mines the spark they need in 2021
P
ower supply might be what energy companies are known for, yet in 2021 the world’s leading mobile power provider Aggreko also wants to be recognised as an investor in life-ofmine projects. Aggreko Australia Pacific Managing Director George Whyte said traditionally where Aggreko may have been engaged on a mining project as a contractor, it could now partner as a long-term investor and help miners navigate the energy transition. “Investor partnerships can support the rapid changes in technology and emissions compliance that our mining customers are facing. Investing millions of dollars in capital for a mine’s power plant is a risk for any company, and as a partner, Aggreko takes on this risk instead of the mining company. It is a smart way for miners to do business in the post-COVID and renewables era,” Mr Whyte said. Aggreko has built an almost 60-year-long reputation for powering many sectors around the globe. It has also supplied power and underground cooling to the mining sector for more than 35 years and has evolved into life-of-mine contracts and renewables, as well as high-profile event experts including the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. In its latest report – which details its future energy transition – Aggreko cites
mining as a major growth sector. Mr. Whyte stated that their global team’s unique offering is with build-own-operate investments across all continents.
As well as continuing to invest upward of AU$450 million (£250 million) annually in technology and innovation, the company is ready to further boost its investments in the natural resources industry. “We believe there is an opportunity to transition energy and our customers to a better future. The world’s reliance on power – particularly renewables – will grow significantly in the next 30 years as more countries focus on decarbonisation and population demographics change,” Mr Whyte said. Aggreko’s Global Head of Mining, Rod Saffy, said miners struggling to get funding for capital expenditure (CapEx) were looking to outsource and there was a trend toward creating partnerships with providers.
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