The future of the Boyne aluminium smelter in Gladstone, Australia, has been secured until at least 2040.
Rio Tinto, the Queensland Government and the Commonwealth Government have struck a partnership to secure a long-term future for the smelter and ensure it remains internationally cost-competitive beyond its current power contract.
The agreement builds on power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed by Rio Tinto in recent years to underwrite A$7.5 billion in new renewable energy and storage in the state.
Under the deal, the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments will invest a combined A$2 billion over 10 years to 2040.
This finalises the terms of a partnership between Queensland and Rio Tinto, and forming part of the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia initiative.
The partnership supports the transition to long-term competitive power for the smelter and manufacturing jobs in Central Queensland for the longer term.
Combined with what will be some of Australia’s largest solar and wind power investments, underwritten by Rio Tinto, the partnership ensures Boyne Smelters - the owner of the smelter in which Rio Tinto has a majority stake - will continue aluminium production beyond the completion of its current power contract in 2029, through to at least 2040.
Rio Tinto Aluminium & Lithium Chief Executive Jérôme Pécresse said: “This transformative partnership with the Queensland and Australian governments will ensure Boyne Smelter remains internationally competitive, strengthens the Australian aluminium sector for the future and supports the transformation and decarbonisation of the Queensland energy system.
“As fossil fuels become increasingly expensive, this investment, combined with the power purchase agreements we have already signed, positions Boyne to be among the world’s first aluminium smelters underpinned by solar and wind power.
“It also ensures heavy manufacturing like aluminium smelting can continue in Gladstone for the long term and preserves one of the few fully integrated aluminium value chains in the world - from bauxite mining to alumina refining to aluminium smelting all in Queensland - as demand for aluminium continues to grow with the energy transition.”
In addition to its previously announced PPAs, Rio Tinto has agreed to offtake 40% of Lightsource bp’s Lower Wonga solar and battery hybrid project near Gympie, equivalent to 112MWac of solar capacity and approximately three hours duration of associated battery storage.
This brings total Queensland renewable power contracted by Rio Tinto to more than 2.8GW.
Operating since 1982, the Boyne smelter is the second-largest aluminium smelter in Australia.
Rio Tinto owns 73.5%, while YKK Aluminium, UACJ, and Southern Cross Aluminium hold interests of 9.5%, 9.29%, and 7.71%, respectively.