Rio Tinto Archives - Renew Economy

Storage

“Hot bricks” heat battery to electrify Rio Tinto aluminium refinery in world-first project
Plans to build one of the world’s biggest industrial heat battery projects win Arena funding, to determine whether “hot bricks” can slash aluminium refinery emissions.
Sophie Vorrath

Oct 21, 2026

5
Electrification

Electrification can slash heavy industry bills and emissions – but new report says it will take a team effort
Government-subsidised power for major industries like smelters might not be needed if companies collaborated on the shift to electrification and renewables.
Rachel Williamson

Oct 12, 2026

1
Policy & Planning

Australia’s biggest aluminium smelter gets $2.5 billion to help transition from coal to wind and solar
Updated: The $2.5 billion deal to help Australia’s biggest aluminium smelter go green will see it act as a kind of giant battery, and unlock the stalemate in the energy transition.
Giles Parkinson

Aug 12, 2026

9
Renewables

Power sector enters “new phase” as huge solar-battery project that will supply giant smelter starts construction
Lightsource bp hails “new phase” in global power sector after announcing the start of construction of major new solar and battery project to help power smelter.
Giles Parkinson

Jun 5, 2026

7
Policy & Planning

“The private market cannot deliver:” Unions want government to build low cost green power for big industry
A government-owned power company that can sell electricity for 44 per cent less than market price is one answer to problems faced by heavy industry.
Rachel Williamson

Jun 3, 2026

6
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

0
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

19
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

2
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