Rio Tinto and the Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation have cemented a solar farm deal just a day before the Federal Court rules on a multibillion-dollar battle between the Yindjibarndi and Fortescue.
Rio has signed a 30-year power purchase agreement with YEC — a partnership between the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation and international renewable energy company ACEN — for the Jinbi solar project in the Pilbara.
The project covers 13,000 square kilometres of Yindjibarndi Native Title area and is set to help power Rio’s vast iron ore network in the region with a clean source of energy.
Stage one of Jinbi has a 75 megawatt capacity, with an option to expand to 150MW, and electricity is expected to be provided to Rio from mid-2028.
Rio and YEC now have a binding agreement after striking a memorandum of understanding for Jinbi in October 2023, when Rio’s current chief executive — Simon Trott — was in charge of the company’s WA iron ore division.
“Jinbi is about more than a renewable energy project — it is about Yindjibarndi people exercising authority on country and building an economic future that reflects our law, culture and responsibilities,” Yindjibarndi Nation chief executive Michael Woodley said.
Rio iron ore boss Matthew Holcz said the deal reflected years of work “by many” and was led by the Yindjibarndi people.
“Developing renewable energy on Yindjibarndi country, in partnership with its traditional custodians, creates enduring value — supporting our operations while contributing to long-term economic opportunities on country,” he said.
The YEC solar deal comes just before the Federal Court on Tuesday will decide how much Rio’s iron ore rival Fortescue owes the Yindjibarndi.
The Court has already agreed with the Yindjibarndi’s claim that they are owed compensation from mining activities at Fortescue’s Solomon hub.
FMG and the WA Government argue the compensation should be between $5 million and $10 million, while Yindjibarndi argue it should be as much as $1.8 billion.
