Solar Project to Mining Operations

Case of Rio Tinto commits to Groundbreaking Solar Project to Fuel Gladstone Aluminium Operations

(Upon an art. edited by Mariaan Webb, Senior Deputy Editor Online at Creamer Media)

In a significant stride towards sustainable energy practices, mining giant Rio Tinto has announced its leadership in the development of Australia’s largest solar power venture near Gladstone. The company has pledged to procure all the electricity generated from the impressive 1.1 GW Upper Calliope solar farm, a move aimed at powering its Queensland-based aluminium operations.

This decision is in line with Rio Tinto’s ambitious climate targets, which include slashing Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions by half within this decade.

Under a 25-year power purchase agreement with European Energy Australia, Rio Tinto’s collaboration will see the development and operation of the Upper Calliope solar farm, pending regulatory approvals and grid connections.

Upon completion, the Upper Calliope project holds the potential to significantly reduce Rio Tinto’s operational carbon footprint by approximately 1.8 million tonnes annually.

Moreover, this initiative not only bolsters renewable energy capacities in one of Australia’s crucial industrial zones but also sets the stage for potentially transitioning Rio Tinto’s key Gladstone production assets—such as the Boyne aluminum smelter, Yarwun alumina refinery, and Queensland Alumina refinery—towards cleaner energy sources.

Rio Tinto’s CEO, Jakob Stausholm, highlighted the importance of robust infrastructure in modern energy systems to facilitate large-scale renewable projects like Upper Calliope. Such developments not only contribute to Queensland’s energy security but also ensure the sustainability of Australian industries.

Construction of the Upper Calliope solar farm is slated to commence in 2025 or 2026. Once operational, it is expected to cater to approximately 5% of Queensland’s current electricity demand.

Spanning an extensive 2,400 hectares, the construction phase is anticipated to span two years, providing employment to around 1,000 workers during this period. Furthermore, it is estimated to sustain around 100 direct and indirect jobs upon completion.

Upper Calliope represents the inaugural success of Rio Tinto’s call for proposals, focusing on renewable energy and firming projects in central and southern Queensland. As the company continues to explore additional proposals and partnerships to meet the energy requirements of its Gladstone assets, it emphasizes the necessity for over 1 GW of reliable power. This highlights the potential for further electrification of plant processes, which could increase electricity demands in the future.