Rio Tinto’s aluminium assets in the Gladstone region to be powered by green energy

The global mining and metal giant, Rio Tinto plans to will invest in extensive green energy generators (wind and solar farms) in central and southern Queensland to power its Gladstone region aluminium assets.

On 9^th June 2022, Ivan Vella, the CEO of Rio Tinto’s Aluminium business called for proposals to meet the energy needs of the Yarwun alumina refinery, the Queensland alumina refinery and the Boyne smelter.

Vella further added, “It is early in the process, but this is an important step towards meeting our group climate change target of halving our emissions by the end of the decade (from 2018 levels).”

A minimum of 4,000 megawatts of wind and solar power will be required to run the facility or about the same as two coal-fired power plants.

Jaclyn McCosker, the Climate & Energy Campaigner at Australian Conservation Foundation stated, “This is an important moment for Queensland. Coupled with the news that energy ministers have agreed to come up with a national transition plan to phase out fossil fuels, this marks a significant moment in Australian action to tackle climate change.”

A statement of cooperation was signed between Rio Tinto and the Queensland government in October 2021 to establish more renewable energy sources in the region.

 “As Queensland’s largest energy user, we have an important role in driving the development of competitive renewable energy sources and supporting the state’s renewable energy targets,” Ivan Vella said.

Rio Tinto's Gladstone operations will need to start receiving power from the new wind and solar projects through the Queensland grid by 2030, but concerns are raised about transmission infrastructure.

“We also need more action from the Queensland government to manage the orderly closure of coal-fired power stations,” Jaclyn added.