Rio Tinto Archives - Renew Economy

Renewables

Mining giant signs 30-year off-take deal to underpin Indigenous-led Pilbara solar and battery project
One of Australia’s largest Indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives has reached financial close on an up to 150 megawatt solar farm in the Pilbara after underpinning the project with a major off-take deal.
Sophie Vorrath

May 11, 2026

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Renewables

“A slam dunk:” Rio Tinto gets $2 billion lifeline to shift massive smelter from costly coal to firm renewables
Giant aluminium smelter will be among first in world to be powered by wind and solar after Rio Tinto landed $2 billion lifeline from federal and state governments,
Sophie Vorrath

Mar 25, 2026

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Renewables

Rio Tinto “farms out” smelter repowering as decarbonisation division gets the axe
The task of repowering the mining giant’s Australian aluminium assets now lies with an executive in Canada as it redeploys its decarbonisation division.
Rachel Williamson

Mar 23, 2026

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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