Rio Tinto to build the largest solar power plant in Canada’s North

The Diavik Diamond Mine, operated by Rio Tinto, is set to construct the largest solar power facility in the Canadian territories. This groundbreaking project will feature an impressive array of more than 6,600 solar panels, capable of generating around 4,200 megawatt-hours of clean electricity each year to power the mine.

Accounting for up to 25% of Diavik's total energy consumption, the solar power plant will be equipped with innovative bi-facial panels. These panels have the unique capability of harnessing energy not only from direct sunlight but also from the sunlight that reflects off the snow covering the Diavik site for most of the year. The installation of this solar facility is expected to significantly curtail diesel consumption at the mine, reducing it by approximately one million liters annually. Moreover, it is projected to lead to a reduction of 2,900 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions, a figure that corresponds to the environmental impact of removing 630 cars from the road.

Angela Bigg, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Diavik Diamond Mine, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, "I am pleased to announce the upcoming construction of Canada's largest solar power plant in the northern territories at the Diavik Diamond Mine. By augmenting our renewable energy capacity through this significant solar initiative, we further affirm our commitment to minimizing our carbon footprint." Bigg acknowledged the support of both the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada in facilitating the realization of this endeavor.

In addition to the forthcoming solar power plant, Diavik's renewable energy portfolio already includes a wind-diesel hybrid power facility with a substantial capacity of 55.4 MW, which serves as the primary electricity source for the site.

The project has garnered essential backing, receiving CAN$3.3 million in funding from the Government of the Northwest Territories' Large Emitters GHG Reducing Investment Grant program, in conjunction with CAN$600,000 provided by the Government of Canada's Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit.

Caroline Wawzonek, Finance Minister of the Government of the Northwest Territories, commended Rio Tinto's commitment to sustainable practices and emissions reduction. She expressed satisfaction in the collaboration and support of initiatives that foster environmentally conscious development and emissions reduction within the Northwest Territories.

Looking beyond the construction phase, Diavik is working closely with regional authorities and community partners to determine how the renewable energy infrastructure can be optimally utilized for the benefit of the broader region, particularly following the eventual closure of the mine.

As part of Rio Tinto's global decarbonization efforts, the company is actively advancing initiatives aimed at reducing its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. The ultimate goal is to achieve net-zero emissions across all operations by 2050.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks, with the solar power plant anticipated to be fully operational by the first half of 2024.