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Rio Tinto, a multinational mining company, and Edify Energy, a leading provider of solar and energy storage solutions, have announced a landmark agreement for a pioneering solar and battery project at Rio Tinto’s Gladstone operations in Queensland, Australia. The agreement marks a significant step towards Rio Tinto’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint and supporting climate resilience.
Under the agreement, Edify Energy will provide a 100 megawatt solar farm and a 150 megawatt-hour battery storage system to power Rio Tinto’s Gladstone operations. The solar farm will be built on a 400-hectare site located near the town of Wako, while the batteries will be situated at Rio Tinto’s Kestell River power station. The project is expected to reduce Rio Tinto’s emissions by approximately 1.6 million tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to taking around 250,000 cars off the road annually.
The agreement is a significant milestone in Rio Tinto’s efforts to decarbonize its operations and contribute to the global transition to a low-carbon economy. The company has set a goal to reduce its emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2015 levels. The Gladstone project is also expected to support the local community, generating over $100 million in economic benefits and creating around 200 jobs during the construction phase.
Edify Energy will own, operate, and maintain the solar farm and battery storage system, while Rio Tinto will purchase the electricity output and have an option to also purchase excess energy generated by the project. The agreement demonstrates Rio Tinto’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and its recognition of the critical role energy storage will play in integrating renewable energy into the power grid.
The project is expected to be completed in 2024 and is subject to regulatory approvals. The agreement is another example of the growing trend towards the use of renewable energy in industrial operations, as companies seek to reduce their environmental impact and navigate the transition to a low-carbon economy.