- Rio Tinto has launched a call for proposals for a minimum of 4 GW of large scale quality wind and solar power capacity, with firming solutions
- This capacity needs to be grid connected in Queensland by 2030 to power Boyne Smelter, Yarwun Alumina Refinery and Queensland Alumina Refinery
- It plans to share further announcements regarding the RFP in the future ‘when appropriate’
Rio Tinto says it is seeking proposals for at least 4 GW of large scale quality wind and solar power capacity with firming or storage solutions in Queensland by 2030. The Anglo-Australian metals miner want to power its aluminum assets using this RE capacity through the local grid.
Specifically, it is seeking proposals for projects that can competitively meet the energy needs of its 3 production assets in Gladstone region namely, the Boyne Smelter, Yarwun Alumina Refinery and Queensland Alumina Refinery.
Together, Rito Tinto counts 1.14 GW of reliable power to operate these 3 assets that equates to a minimum of 4 GW quality wind or solar power with firming.
“It is early in the process, but this is an important step towards meeting both our Group climate change target of halving our emissions by the end of the decade and our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050,” said Rio Tinto Aluminum Chief Executive Ivan Vella.
Further details of the request for proposals (RFP) will be announced ‘when appropriate’, it added.
The call follows a statement of cooperation Rio Tinto signed with the Queensland government in 2021 to work towards establishing more renewable energy in the state and enter into ‘long-term green offtake for our industrial assets’, Vella stated back then.
Rio Tinto had earlier announced plans to develop around 6 GW wind and solar energy for its Australian operations, out of which 5 GW was committed for Boyne and Tomago aluminum smelters, all as part of its decarbonization strategy (see Rio Tinto’s $7.5 Billion Decarbonization Plans).
