Rio Tinto approves new solar farm and battery storage to power its Amrun bauxite operations on Cape York
December 03 2023 - 5:11PM
Business Wire
Rio Tinto has approved a new 12.4MW solar farm and 8.8MVa/2.1MWh
of battery storage to provide renewable energy for the Amrun
bauxite operations near Weipa in Queensland.
The 12.4MW solar farm and battery storage are part of Rio
Tinto’s global decarbonisation strategy and ongoing efforts to
reduce emissions at its Pacific bauxite, alumina and aluminium
operations.
They are expected to reduce Amrun’s diesel electricity
consumption by 37 percent and annual CO2-equivalent emissions by
14,000 tonnes, and will add to the existing 5.6MW of solar and 4MWh
of battery power built for Rio Tinto’s Weipa operations and the
local electricity network since 2015.
Aggreko has been contracted to build, own, and operate the solar
farm to supply renewable electricity to the mine operations, in
addition to its current contract to supply electricity generated
from an existing diesel power station.
Rio Tinto Weipa Operations General Manager Shona Markham said
“The construction of the Amrun solar farm and battery storage
system, which is located on Wik and Wik-Waya Traditional lands, is
an important milestone for Weipa Operations and will contribute to
Rio Tinto’s commitment to reduce operational greenhouse gas
emissions.
“The Amrun solar farm will be one of three Weipa Operations
solar stations, which will together provide 18MW of solar
generation capacity to our mines and the Weipa town. This project
helps us make inroads towards our ambitions to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions from our operations.”
Managing Director of Aggreko Asia Pacific George Whyte said
“Aggreko is excited to be supporting Rio Tinto on working towards
meeting their decarbonisation goals and our own with this
project.
"This partnership aligns with our mission to accelerate the
energy transition and as a world leader in the supply of clean
energy infrastructure, we are confident that we will successfully
deliver reliable and efficient energy for Rio Tinto’s Amrun
operations.”
Early works have begun on the new solar farm, which is expected
to be operational by early 2025. Once completed, the Amrun solar
farm will provide about 21 gigawatt hours of renewable power
annually.
Combined with the existing Weipa renewable power generation
network, the solar farms will reduce Weipa Operations’ diesel
consumption by an estimated 10 million litres per year and lower
its annual greenhouse gas emissions by about 28,000 tonnes - the
equivalent of taking more than 6,000 internal combustion engine
passenger cars off the road.
More information on Rio Tinto’s climate targets can be found
here.
Note to editors
Rio Tinto’s Weipa Operations in Far North Queensland includes
three bauxite mines, processing facilities, shiploaders, an export
wharf, two ports, power stations, a rail network and ferry
terminals. Rio Tinto also provides the municipal services for the
town of Weipa.
Amrun, Weipa’s newest mine, was completed in 2018 and will
extend the Weipa bauxite operations by decades, significantly
building on our 60-year history on Western Cape York, and providing
jobs and supporting business growth in the region. The mine is
located on traditional land and Rio Tinto operates within the terms
of an Indigenous Land Use Agreement Rio Tinto has had with local
Traditional Owners for more than 20 years. Rio Tinto works closely
with the Traditional Owners to implement our agreements, ensuring
that the benefits generated from mining support future generations
and that important cultural heritage sites are identified and
preserved.
More information on solar farms at Weipa can be found here.
riotinto.com
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