Rio Tinto to build first solar plant in Western Australia to power iron ore mine

On February 16, Rio Tinto announced that it has approved a $98 million (100 per cent basis) investment in a new solar plant at the Koodaideri mine in the Pilbara, Australia, as well as a lithium-ion battery energy storage system to help power its entire Pilbara power network.

The 34 megawatt solar photovoltaic plant is expected to supply all of Koodaideri's electricity demand during peak solar power generation times and approximately 65 per cent of the mine's average electricity demand.

The plant, Rio Tinto's first company-owned solar facility, will consist of an estimated 100,000 panels, covering an area of 105 hectares. Construction is expected to begin later this year, subject to government approvals, and is due to be completed in 2021.

Complementing it will be a new 12MWh battery energy storage system in Tom Price that will provide spinning reserve generating capacity to support a stable and reliable network.

.Asian Metal Copyright Construction is expected to begin later this year, subject to government approvals, and is due to be completed in 2021.Asian Metal Copyright