Cadia announces renewable energy plan to meet Orange mine's power needs

It said 40 per cent of its projected future energy would be sourced from renewable sources.

Cadia has signed a 15-year deal for power driven from a windfarm near Yass and Booroowa.

The agreement is with Tilt Renewables Limited is for about 55 per cent of the output of the planned Rye Park Wind Farm.

It has forecast a 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Newcrest is aiming for a 30 per cent reduction by 2030.

Cadia general manager Aaron Brannigan said the agreement would reduce Newcrest's CO2 emissions and help Cadia maintain competitive energy costs.

"We accept that climate change is one of the most significant challenges of our time and as an industry we can play a part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions," he said.

"We have embraced the need to identify and integrate climate change and energy issues into our current operations, along with future planning for our site.

"I am extremely pleased that we can partner with Tilt Renewables to achieve this significant outcome.

"Cadia is an important asset for Newcrest. We are constantly looking at ways to improve our operation and this agreement has allowed us to expand our positive environmental footprint in the community and across our nation.

"We intend to continue to explore ways to reduce Cadia's emissions, and hope that in the long term we could virtually eliminate greenhouse gas emissions attributable to our site, while also pursuing emissions intensity reductions at all Newcrest operating sites," he said.