In a significant move towards sustainability, Rio Tinto announced on Wednesday a groundbreaking deal to procure power from a new solar farm in Queensland, with the objective of halving their aluminium operations’ emissions by 2030.
The multinational mining and metals corporation has entered into a 25-year agreement with European Energy Australia, the entity behind the construction of the Upper Calliope solar farm in Queensland. Upon completion, this solar farm is poised to become Australia’s largest. The approved facility holds the potential to curtail Rio’s annual carbon emissions by an estimated 1.8 million tonnes.
According to data from the Clean Energy Regulator, Rio Tinto currently holds the 10th position among Australia’s largest emitters. In 2022, the company reported 30.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions, with around two-thirds originating from its aluminum division.
The Upper Calliope solar farm’s construction is scheduled to commence in either 2025 or 2026, located approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Gladstone.
This strategic solar power agreement aims to revitalize Rio’s three production facilities in Gladstone: the Boyne aluminum smelter, the Yarwun alumina refinery, and the Queensland alumina refinery.
