Rio Tinto adds its weight to renewable energy vision

Resource sector heavyweight Rio Tinto has signed a statement of cooperation with the State Government to help make Central Queensland an industrial and renewable energy powerhouse. Rio Tinto Aluminium chief executive Ivan Vella said the company was working closely with the government on the role it could play by underwriting long-term green offtake for its industrial assets. "This should help create the industrial demand needed to develop a globally competitive green energy solution and lead to more processing and manufacturing in Central Queensland,” he said. It comes after Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries announced plans to build the world’s largest hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing plant n Gladstone. Rio Tinto in August announced plans to look into the potential construction of a hydrogen pilot plant at its Yarwun alumina refinery in Gladstone, and was displaying its green energy credentials again last month by approved a new solar farm and battery storage facility at Weipa. Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the government would work with industry to find ways to build more renewable energy faster. “This will be a multi-signatory statement which will ensure that Central Queensland becomes one of the first regions in the world to benefit from the massive growth in demand for renewable energy,” Mr Miles said. “We will ensure that in Central Queensland renewable energy is used to power the industries and material that the world will need over the years ahead." Mr Vella said transitioning to a low-carbon economy presented a real opportunity for industrial regions if stakeholders were willing to think differently and collaborate. “As Queensland’s largest energy user and a major Gladstone employer and manufacturer, Rio Tinto is uniquely positioned to work with the Queensland Government to deliver this vision," he said. “We have been in the region for more than 50 years and we share the State Government’s goals for decarbonisation, job creation and a vibrant industrial future for the region." Related: Progress for H2-Hub Gladstone plans Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said supporting investment in renewables and hydrogen was part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery from COVID-19. “This week we’ve announced the world’s largest hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing plant will be built in Central Queensland,” she said. “Today we’re signing a statement of cooperation with Rio Tinto to ensure Central Queensland can take advantage of our natural energy advantage and drive employment and economic outcomes from investment in renewable energy projects. “By backing Queensland to become a renewable energy and hydrogen superpower we will create and sustain jobs long into the future.”

Rio Tinto adds its weight to renewable energy vision

Industry Queensland

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