Aussie aluminium plant buys solar energy to reduce emissions
Rio Tinto announced on Wednesday a deal to purchase power from a new solar farm in Queensland to make their aluminium operations more sustainable and cut emissions by half by 2030.
Rio Tinto has signed a 25-year contract with European Energy Australia, which is constructing the Upper Calliope solar farm in Queensland, set to be Australia’s largest upon completion.
The approved solar farm could potentially reduce Rio’s carbon emissions by 1.8 million tonnes annually.
As per the Clean Energy Regulator, Rio Tinto ranks 10th largest emitter in Australia, as it reported 30.3Mt CO2 equivalent emissions in 2022, with about two-thirds originating from its aluminium division.
The Upper Calliope plant’s construction, set to begin in 2025 or 2026, will take place about 50 kilometres south-west of Gladstone.
The solar power agreement aims to rejuvenate Rio’s three production facilities in Gladstone: the Boyne aluminium smelter, the Yarwun alumina refinery, and the Queensland alumina refinery.
