Rio Tinto secures power purchase agreement for Jinbi solar farm

Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC), one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives, will begin construction of the Jinbi solar project in the Pilbara after reaching financial close and signing a 30-year power purchase agreement with Rio Tinto.

The deal marks a major step in delivering renewable energy on Yindjibarndi Ngurra country, and means Rio Tinto will take 100 per cent of the power from stage one of the solar project in Western Australia, which is designed to feed energy straight into its iron ore operations in the region.

The moves marks another step in the mining giant’s push to cut emissions while keeping its Pilbara sites running strong.

The Jinbi solar project is being developed by Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation, a joint venture between Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation and ACEN Corporation. Stage one will deliver a 75 megawatt alternating current solar facility, with plans to potentially double that capacity to 150 megawatt alternating current in the future. There’s also the option to add battery storage if approvals come through.

Reaching financial close is a big milestone, showing that all the funding, contracts and approvals are locked in, so construction can move ahead. Early works are already underway, including site prep and accommodation setup, with contractors DT Infrastructure and Rapid Camps commissioned.

Full operations are expected to kick in around mid-2028, when the solar power will start flowing under the long-term agreement with Rio Tinto. For the mining sector in the Pilbara, it’s another sign that large-scale renewable energy is becoming a serious part of how operations will be powered going forward.

Yindjibarndi Energy said in a statement that the project also reflects stronger Indigenous participation in major energy and mining-linked infrastructure projects in the region.