In a significant move for Western Australia's clean energy sector, Pilot Energy has forged a binding partnership to reboot a major solar project, positioning itself at the forefront of powering energy-intensive data centres.
Binding Agreement for Hybrid Renewable Hub
The company has entered a binding heads of agreement with renewable energy partner SN Energy. Together, they will co-develop a hybrid solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) at Pilot's Three Springs site, located north of Perth. This project is strategically designed to support a proposed 50-megawatt (MW) data centre, transforming the location into a future-ready clean energy hub.
As a core part of the deal, SN Energy will fund the acquisition of land near Three Springs. This land was initially set aside for a standalone solar project approved by the state government. Pilot Energy will receive total consideration of $10.75 million through upfront and milestone payments for this land acquisition.
Meeting the Demand for Firm Renewable Power
The funds will also cover costs linked to advancing grid connection works and lodging a new development application for the combined hybrid solar BESS and data centre venture. This hybrid strategy directly responds to soaring market demand for deliverable green energy, particularly from power-hungry data centres.
Globally, data centres are estimated to consume 2–3 per cent of all electricity output, with demand accelerating rapidly due to artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Forecasts suggest that in some regions, data centre power usage could reach up to 15 per cent of national electricity demand.
Pairing a data centre with solar generation and large-scale batteries in sun-drenched Western Australia is a logical solution. The integrated battery storage allows excess solar energy to be stored and dispatched during peak demand periods, overnight, or during grid outages, ensuring a more reliable, around-the-clock power supply.
Transformation into a Clean Energy Developer
The co-location of solar, storage, and high-demand infrastructure creates dedicated renewable energy hubs that cut emissions, lower operating costs, and ease strain on local networks. This approach also promotes greater energy independence, aligning with global shifts toward decentralised, clean energy systems.
Pilot Energy managing director Brad Lingo stated the joint development agreement enables the company to realise significant capital while delivering a much-enhanced project. "The project now meets market requirements for firmed renewable power solutions and provides flexibility for a proposed 50MW data centre as a behind-the-meter customer," Lingo said.
The agreement remains subject to standard conditions precedent, including due diligence and final documentation. A definitive joint development agreement is expected by early to mid-February 2026. To support near-term progress, Pilot has also secured a $500,000 short-term unsecured loan from existing shareholders.
This deal marks a pivotal milestone in the company's evolution. Originally established as an oil-focused explorer, Pilot has progressively repositioned towards lower-carbon opportunities. With this pivot into solar generation and battery storage, Pilot has completed its transformation into a diversified clean energy developer, squarely aligned with the energy transition and growing demand for reliable, low-emissions infrastructure.
