-- Rio Tinto Group (ASX:RIO) signed a 30-year power purchase agreement with Yindjibarndi Energy for the first stage of the Jinbi solar project in Western Australia's Pilbara region, according to a Monday statement.
As per the deal, Yindjibarndi will supply 100% of the electricity generated by Jinbi to Rio Tinto once operational, supporting the decarbonization of Rio's iron ore operations in the Pilbara.
Construction on the project is now starting, with full commercial operations expected in mid‑2028.
The first stage of the project entails a 75-megawatt alternating current (MWac) solar facility, with an option to expand to 150 MWac, including the potential addition of battery energy storage systems subject to regulatory approvals.
Shares of Rio Tinto gained 1% in recent Monday trade.