RIO TINTO will invest more than $514.8m to upgrade its Pilbara power sources to support an expansion of its iron ore port and mine operations.
The company says it will build generation and transmission infrastructure near Karratha to supply electricity to its port and mine.
The new power station will be constructed next to the 7 Mile Rail Operations site, and will use natural gas turbines in a push to reduce greenhouse gas emission rates. A 220kV power line will be run from the station to Cape Lambert.
At the same time, two steam power stations at the Cape Lambert and Dampier ports will be decommissioned.
The new infrastructure is expected to be completed by 2010.
According to the company, the gas turbines will emit 25% less carbon dioxide than existing steam turbines, representing a saving of 200,000t a year of greenhouse gas emissions.
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