Rio Tinto and Ngarluma Partner on Solar Farm
- The partnership aims to build an 80MW solar farm near Karratha, Western Australia.
- This project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and augment the local economy.
Rio Tinto and the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) have announced plans to build an 80-megawatt solar farm on Ngarluma Country, close to Karratha.
The solar farm will power Rio Tinto's iron ore operations in the Pilbara region and is the first project to come from a partnership between the two groups.
Located next to Rio Tinto's Yurralyi Maya Power Station, the solar farm is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 1,20,000 tonnes a year. This would happen by replacing 11% of the natural gas currently used to power Rio Tinto's mining operations in the Pilbara.
A feasibility study will be finished by early 2025, with the solar farm starting to operate in 2027. However, this depends on getting the necessary approvals and a final investment decision.
Rio Tinto aims to use much less gas to power its Pilbara operations by 2030. It will need between 600 and 700 megawatts of renewable energy to do this. Even more renewable energy will be needed after 2030 to power electric vehicles used in the mining operations.
Rio Tinto's Managing Director for Rail, Port, and Core Services, Richard Cohen, said the project is important for both reducing emissions and creating economic opportunities for the Ngarluma people.
Ljuba Mojovic, CEO of the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation, said the solar farm will bring jobs and other benefits to the Ngarluma community.
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Source: Rio Tinto
