07:03 AM EDT, 03/13/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Rio Tinto (RIO) said late Wednesday that it has signed two new solar and battery hybrid services agreements with Edify Energy to increase the supply of electricity to Rio Tinto's Gladstone aluminum operations in Queensland, Australia.

Rio Tinto said it will buy 90% of the power and battery storage capacity generated by the adjacent Smoky Creek & Guthrie's Gap solar power stations in central Queensland for 20 years.

Edify Energy will build, own, and operate the projects, which are expected to begin late this year and be completed in 2028, Rio Tinto said.