WAE will join Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), a global green energy company, to first develop a world leading battery electric train concept. Fortescue and FFI will announce further details on this early in 2022.
WAE, an offshoot of the Williams F1 team, is a world-leading technology and engineering business renowned for its projects in high performance battery systems and electrification.
WAE will bring its battery technology to FFI, which will in turn enable Fortescue, one of the largest iron ore producers in the world and a heavy carbon emitter, to realize its industry leading 2030 net-zero target. This will be achieved by working together to help bring green energy to life in Fortescue’s 3km long freight trains, 400 tons haul trucks and industrial heavy mobile equipment.
Fortescue founder and chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest AO said, “This announcement is the key to unlocking the formula for removing fossil fuel powered machinery and replacing it with zero carbon emission technology, powered by FFI green electricity, green hydrogen and green ammonia."
Craig Wilson, CEO of WAE added, “High performance battery and electrification systems are at the core of what we do at WAE, and this acquisition and investment will enable the company’s further growth to support the delivery of zero emission products and services across existing sectors – such as automotive, motorsport and off-highway – and new sectors too. This will benefit all of our stakeholders along with current and future customers who are very important to us.”
Earlier this month, Fortescue announced that it had purchased two new battery electric locomotives to transport its iron ore to port as it seeks to decarbonize its fleet.
The new 8-axle locomotives will have an energy capacity of 14.5 megawatt hours and will be manufactured at the Progress Rail facility in Sete Lagoas, Brazil. Fortescue is expected to take delivery of its first battery-powered locomotive in 2023.