Rio Tinto Archives - Renew Economy

Solar

Gigawatt-scale solar project to help power giant smelter and pave way for coal closure gets planning approval
Construction on what will likely be Australia’s biggest solar project – to help power Rio’s giant smelter – can now begin after gaining development approval.
Rachel Williamson

Dec 17, 2025

4
Policy & Planning

Work starts on giant Tomago battery as Bowen confirms CEFC and Snowy Hydro in talks to save troubled smelter
Federal energy minister confirms talks to keep Australia’s biggest aluminium smelter afloat with supply of firmed renewables, potentially backed by Snowy and CEFC.
Sophie Vorrath

Dec 3, 2025

1
Utilities

Tasmania gives Rio Tinto smelter a power lifeline, but expects federal subsidy
The Bell Bay smelter given another year to do a deal with Hydro Tasmania as the state government leans on federal support to keep it going longer.
Rachel Williamson

Nov 5, 2025

1
Coal

Rio Tinto flags early closure of Queensland’s biggest coal generator as LNP prepares new energy plan
Rio Tinto flags early closure of state’s biggest coal fired power generator as it pitches renewables future, just days before Queensland government pitches for coal.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 1, 2025

20
Renewables

Rio Tinto signs massive solar and battery deal to help secure future of smelters and refineries
Rio Tinto signs massive solar and battery storage deal to help secure future of its smelter and refineries that are among Australia’s biggest energy consumers.
Giles Parkinson

Mar 13, 2025

6
Renewables

Rapid greening of the Pilbara could unlock $250 billion in green iron annual exports
Miners need to think bigger and cooperate to tackle the heroic task of how much energy they’re going to need.
Rachel Williamson

Aug 13, 2024

0
Solar

Rio Tinto signs up to power Pilbara iron ore operations with 80MW solar farm
Mining giant signs another solar deal with another Pilbara Indigenous group, as it slowly replaces fossil fuels with renewables.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 15, 2024

0
Solar

Rio Tinto leans into solar PV for end-of-life mines
Rio Tinto has finished an off-grid solar farm in Canada and signed off on two in the NT, as it looks to support end-of-mine-life energy needs.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 3, 2024

0
Renewables

Aluminium smelter power supply deal paves way for second largest wind farm in NZ
One week after Rio Tinto sealed a groundbreaking deal to power its Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, plans to build a new 155MW wind farm have been given the all-clear.
Sophie Vorrath

Jun 7, 2024

0
Renewables

Giant aluminium smelter seals future with groundbreaking “reverse battery” and renewables deal
A 20-year energy deal combining diversified renewables and demand response secures future for NZ smelter, and offers a template for what’s possible in Australia.
Sophie Vorrath

May 31, 2024

1
Renewables

Australia’s biggest smelter to launch massive wind and solar tender, says nuclear too costly
The biggest single energy consumer in Australia, the Tomago smelter, is about to launch a massive tender for wind and solar. It says nuclear is too expensive.
Giles Parkinson

Mar 13, 2024

0
Renewables

Fortescue says Rio Tinto wrong about electric trucks, admits hydrogen tech at “very early stage”
Rio Tinto is dialling down its renewable targets in the Pilbara because it says electric haul trucks won’t be ready in time. Fortescue says they are wrong.
Giles Parkinson

Feb 23, 2024

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