Off-Grid Weighbridge Eliminates 100 Litres of Daily Diesel Consumption in the Pilbara

A remote mining operation in the Pilbara region of Western Australia has reduced diesel consumption by approximately 100 litres per day after replacing a 24/7 diesel generator with a Makinex Renewables solution.

The site deployed a BESS10 (10kVA / 15kWh Battery Energy Storage System) and CTS5 Deployable Solar Array to power a weighbridge, which had previously relied on a 14kVA diesel generator operating around the clock.

Since being commissioned, the system has powered the weighbridge entirely through renewable energy, with the backup diesel generator not required to run at all. The result has been daily fuel savings of approximately $200-$250 per day, while maintaining reliable power to a critical piece of mining site infrastructure.

Renewable Power for Critical Site Infrastructure

Weighbridges play an important role on mining sites, recording vehicle movements and managing the flow of materials throughout site operations. Because of their importance, they require a reliable and continuous power source.

Operating in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia presents additional challenges, with high temperatures, dust, and harsh site conditions putting constant demands on equipment and power systems. Any alternative to traditional diesel generation must be able to withstand these conditions while continuing to deliver dependable power.

The successful performance of the BESS10 and CTS5 system demonstrates that renewable energy can provide a practical and reliable solution for critical mining infrastructure, even in some of Australia's toughest operating environments.

The Results

The performance of the system has exceeded expectations. Since commissioning:

• The weighbridge has been powered entirely by the BESS10 and CTS5 system, with the backup diesel generator not required to operate at all.
• Diesel consumption has been cut by approximately 100 litres per day, saving the customer approximately $200-$250 per day in fuel costs.
• Taking the generator out of continuous use is also reducing the CO2 emissions associated with that daily diesel burn.
• With the generator no longer running around the clock, servicing and maintenance requirements are also expected to reduce over time, as running hours — and the wear that comes with them, such as cylinder glazing from extended low-load operation are minimised.

The result is a significant reduction in fuel usage, operating costs, emissions and generator wear, while maintaining reliable power to an essential site asset.

Customer Feedback

"This data is better than we expected and further validates the units."
— Site Manager, Tier 1 Iron Ore Operation

Looking Ahead

For remote mining and infrastructure sites, diesel costs can add up quickly. Even small changes to how critical equipment is powered can result in significant operational savings over time.

This project demonstrates how battery storage and solar generation can provide a practical alternative to traditional diesel-powered systems, helping sites reduce fuel consumption, lower operating costs, and decrease emissions while maintaining reliable power.

If you're looking to reduce generator runtime on your site, contact the Makinex Renewables team to discuss how our solutions could support your operation.