Rio Tinto launches tender for 4GW of onshore renewables in Australia

June 13, 2022
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Rio Tinto’s Boyne smelter in Gladstone will be one of the three facilities to be powered through the 4GW RFP it is seeking. Image: Rio Tinto.

Mining company Rio Tinto has launched a request for proposals (RFP) to develop large-scale solar PV and wind power in Australia.

It is seeking proposals that could provide, in parallel with power firming solutions, more than 4GW of renewables in Central and Southern Queensland to power its aluminium assets.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The renewables would be used to power its three production assets – the Boyne smelter (pictured above), the Yarwun alumina refinery and the Queensland Alumina refinery – in the Gladstone region through the Queensland grid by 2030.

Ivan Vella, chief executive at Rio Tinto Aluminium, said: “As Queensland’s largest energy user, we have an important role to play in driving the development of competitive renewable energy sources for our Gladstone assets and supporting the State’s renewable energy targets.”

The RFP follows Rio Tinto’s push in October 2021 to halve its carbon emissions by 2030 with the additional deployment of 6GW of solar and wind power in Australia.

Read Next

January 19, 2026
Wooderson Solar Development Co has submitted a 450MW solar-plus-storage project in Queensland to Australia's EPBC Act.
January 16, 2026
The Australian government has announced AU$24.7 million in funding over three years to establish a National Solar Panel Recycling Pilot.
January 14, 2026
Australian start-up Stellar PV has released early details of the solar ingot and wafer facility it plans to build in the state of Queensland.
January 14, 2026
Australia’s utility-scale solar PV and wind assets collectively generated 5,420GWh in December 2025, a 19% increase from the previous year’s 4,551GWh, according to Rystad Energy.
November 21, 2025
CPS Energy has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to acquire 600MW of new solar capacity through power purchase agreements (PPA).
November 18, 2025
The 94MW Gunsynd Solar Farm has been registered in AEMO's Market Management System as the Queensland project prepares for commissioning.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA