Rio Tinto and Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) have signed
a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities to
collaborate on renewable energy projects on Yindjibarndi country in
the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231020839231/en/
Rio Tinto and YEC will study and evaluate a range of
opportunities including wind and solar power as well as battery
energy storage systems. The initial focus is on rapidly exploring
the potential development of a solar power generation facility for
the supply of energy to Rio Tinto.
Rio Tinto operates four gas-fired power stations in the Pilbara.
About 600MW to 700MW of renewable generation is estimated to be
required to displace the majority of gas use across its network.
The company is currently assessing the development of approximately
300MW of solar projects. The collaboration opportunities currently
being explored by Rio Tinto and YEC if progressed, would be
complementary to renewable energy developments on Rio Tinto Iron
Ore’s electricity grid.
YEC was established in June following an agreement between
Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) and renewable energy
developer ACEN Corporation (ACEN) to progress the development of
major renewable energy projects on Yindjibarndi Ngurra (country) –
an area covering approximately 13,000km2 within the Yindjibarndi
Native Title Determination Areas.
YEC’s initial plans include a Stage 1 target of 750MW of
combined wind, solar, and battery storage with construction to
commence within the next few years. The collaboration opportunities
being considered by Rio Tinto and YEC relate to some of these Stage
1 projects.
YAC Chief Executive Michael Woodley said, “Yindjibarndi Ngurra
is ideally suited to developing renewable energy generation and our
people are encouraged by Rio Tinto’s interest in building this
capacity with us.
“This will strengthen our existing partnership and provide long
term benefits for our community, while also ensuring that we can
protect and preserve the areas of cultural, spiritual and
environmental significance within our Ngurra.”
ACEN International CEO Patrice Clausse said: "This MOU signifies
more than just a partnership; it's a testament to the shared vision
of sustainable energy development on Yindjibarndi Ngurra.
“It is the perfect blend of traditional significance and modern
technology, designed to harness the limitless potential of the
Pilbara's sun and wind, while respecting the deep-rooted connection
of the Yindjibarndi people with their land.
“Together, we are crafting an energy future that is not only
renewable, but also renewing, by empowering local communities and
contributing to a greener future."
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott said, “We are
focused on repowering our Pilbara operations with renewable energy
through the end of this decade and beyond by replacing gas and
diesel with clean energy alternatives.
“The Pilbara is blessed with abundant year-round sunshine and
strong winds at night, making it one of the most attractive places
in the world to harness solar and wind power for energy generation.
We’re excited to be deepening our partnership with the Yindjibarndi
People through this agreement and look forward to working closely
with them.
“We recognise we have a large carbon footprint in the Pilbara
and are exploring a number of innovative solutions to help address
this, including future collaborations with other Traditional Owner
groups in the region.”
Notes to editors
Rio Tinto has committed to reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions
by 50% by 2030 across its global operations, with an estimated $7.5
billion planned to be spent on decarbonisation projects,
predominantly in the second half of the decade. These projects will
support a longer-term ambition of net zero emissions by 2050.
Rio Tinto’s rail network, which connects its Pilbara mines to
ports at Cape Lambert and Dampier in Western Australia, traverses
Yindjibarndi Country. Rio Tinto has held a Participation Agreement
and Indigenous Land Use Agreement with YAC, the representative body
for the Yindjibarndi people, since 2013.
Last year, Rio Tinto and YAC signed an updated agreement aimed
at strengthening ties and delivering improved social and economic
outcomes for the Yindjibarndi people. The agreement reflects a
joint commitment to work together to create more opportunities for
the Yindjibarndi people to participate in Rio Tinto’s operations,
including direct and indirect employment opportunities, and build
sustainable long-term benefits to the community.
About ACEN
ACEN (PSE:ACEN) is the listed energy platform of the Ayala
Group. The company has ~4,500 MW of attributable capacity from
owned facilities in the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia
and India, with a renewable share of 98%, which is among the
highest in the region.
ACEN’s aspiration is to be the largest listed renewables
platform in Southeast Asia, with a goal of reaching 20 GW of
renewables capacity by 2030. ACEN is committed to transition the
company’s generation portfolio to 100% renewable energy by 2025 and
to become a Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions company by 2050.
www.acenrenewables.com
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231020839231/en/
Please direct all enquiries to
media.enquiries@riotinto.com or
info@yindjibarndienergy.com.au Media Relations,
Australia
Matt Chambers M +61 433 525 739
Jesse Riseborough M +61 436 653 412
Alyesha Anderson M +61 434 868 118
Michelle Lee M +61 458 609 322
Rio Tinto plc 6 St James’s Square London SW1Y 4AD United
Kingdom T +44 20 7781 2000
Registered in England No. 719885
Rio Tinto Limited
Level 43, 120 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia T +61 3
9283 3333
Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404
riotinto.com Category: General
Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024
Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024