Mining large Rio Tinto introduced a brand new cope with renewable power agency Edify Vitality to provide dependable low-carbon electrical energy to energy aluminum manufacturing operations in Queensland, Australia.
Rio Tinto is among the world’s greatest producers and processors of iron ore, copper, aluminum and a spread of different minerals and supplies. The corporate has dedicated to cut back its operational Scope 1 and a couple of emissions by 50% by 2030, and to attain web zero by 2050.
Below two service agreements, Rio Tinto stated that it’s going to buy 90% of the facility and battery storage capability generated by two solar energy stations over 20 years, to assist energy the Boyne aluminum smelter and two refineries within the Gladstone area. Edify Vitality, an Australian renewable power growth and storage funding firm, will construct, personal, and function the tasks.
The settlement is the newest in a collection of large-scale clear power offers by Rio Tinto in Australia, following 2.2 GW of renewable wind and photo voltaic PPAs contracted by the corporate for Gladstone in 2024. Along with the brand new settlement, the tasks will safe a complete of two.7GW of future wind and photo voltaic power for the aluminum operations, the corporate stated, supplying 80% of Boyne smelter’s annual common electrical energy demand, and lowering the smelter’s scope 1 and a couple of emissions by 70%, or 5.6Mt of carbon dioxide equal per yr.
Rio Tinto Chief Government, Australia, Kellie Parker stated:
“These agreements are integral to repowering our Gladstone aluminum operations with inexpensive, dependable and decrease carbon power for many years to come back. For the primary time, we now have built-in essential battery storage in our efforts to make the Boyne aluminum smelter globally cost-competitive, as conventional power sources turn out to be dearer. We proceed to research additional renewable power investments to repower our Gladstone aluminum operations.”
Building of the facility stations is because of start in late 2025, with completion set for 2028. Situated in Central Queensland, the Smoky Creek & Guthrie’s Hole stations will collectively characteristic 600MWac of solar energy and 600MW / 2,400MWh of battery storage, Edify stated.
Edify Vitality Chief Government, John Cole, stated:
“The Smoky Creek & Guthrie’s Hole Photo voltaic Energy Stations ship the newest in photo voltaic, battery and inverter know-how to help Australia’s energy wants. This collaboration is a vital dedication to supporting the sustainable way forward for Australia’s industrial sector. We’re proud to advance Rio Tinto’s targets to repower its Gladstone operations and to play a task within the transition to a low-carbon economic system.”
