IG6 and ZEN Energy Sign MOU to Cooperate on Renewable Power Supply at Collie

Western Australia’s International Graphite (ASX:IG6) has signed a non‐binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ZEN Energy with the objective of concluding binding agreements for the purchase of firmed renewable energy from ZEN Energy by International Graphite for its Collie operation

• International Graphite seeks to build commercial scale graphite downstream processing facilities at Collie to produce battery anode materials for electric vehicles
• ZEN Energy is seeking to build and operate a ‘big battery’ in Collie rated at 200MW of power capacity , and storing up to 800MWh of energy, in support of renewable energy supply contracts with customers in the Collie region
• MOU lays the foundation for cooperation aimed at reaching renewable energy supply agreements for International Graphite’s downstream processing plant in Collie.

ZEN Energy, whose major shareholder is leading climate change economist Professor Ross Garnaut, is a renewable energy retailer that currently supplies the electricity needs of the South Australian Government, CSIRO’s sites in the eastern states, a set of commercial and industrial businesses in the SACOME Buying Group and twenty‐five local regional councils in New South Wales. ZEN is assessing the feasibility of building a 200MW, 600 to 800MWh battery at Collie, south of Perth. The battery would be around four times the size of Tesla’s big battery in South Australia.

International Graphite is developing downstream graphite processing facilities in Collie. This facility will undertake research and development activities and conduct pilot testing of graphite concentrates for purification and spheroidising of graphite for Battery Anode Material (BAM) applications, as well as produce micronised graphite. It is the Company’s intention to expand the facility to commercial scale production.

The power supply agreement with ZEN Energy would provide a renewables power source to drive the graphite technologies that International Graphite plans to develop at its downstream processing facility. This will help the company achieve its targets for low carbon emissions and facilitate rapid production expansion in the future.

Both International Graphite and ZEN Energy are supported by the Western Australian Government, which awarded International Graphite $2m through the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund toward the establishment of a graphite micronising plant at Collie and up to $1 million for the first stage of ZEN’s big battery feasibility study.1 This investment by the WA Government in both projects demonstrates its commitment to build Collie as a future centre of renewable energy projects in Western Australia.

International Graphite Executive Chairman Phil Hearse said access to renewable energy underpins our ability to deliver highly ESG accredited products into global markets.

“A critical supply of green power gives International Graphite an important advantage, helping ESG and environmental objectives, as well as supporting a new supply chain that will bring jobs to Collie and opportunity to Western Australia,” Mr Hearse said.

ZEN Energy’s big battery would help manage wholesale market risk in a program to supply renewable energy to new and existing industrial projects in Collie. It is expected to be a key feature in a new Collie Battery and Hydrogen Industrial Hub Project, which is the centrepiece in the Western Australian Government’s $100m strategy to create a major renewable energy centre in Collie and transition the local economy away from coal.

ZEN Energy CEO Anthony Garnaut said, “We are committed to creating practical energy supply solutions for customers seeking to grow their business on a sustainable footing.”

“Successful cooperation with International Graphite strengthens the commercial case for a big battery in Collie and provides a practical demonstration of how Australia can become a renewable energy superpower.

“There are additional benefits that a large battery will bring to the Western Australian grid. For example, it will support the continued investment of West Australian households in roof top solar by providing the ability to soak up excess solar energy, reducing the need to curtail residential solar production.”

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Directors of International Graphite.

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