Rio Tinto’s largest hydroelectric investment in over 70 years

Rio Tinto is investing $1.8b (US$1.2b) to modernise its Isle-Maligne hydroelectric power plant in Quebec, Canada, marking the miner’s largest single investment in its hydroelectric assets since the 1950s.

The power plant modernisation is essential to secure the future of low-carbon aluminium production in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, supporting the jobs of employees across the region.

This allows Rio Tinto to protect its assets for the long term, ensure a more efficient, safe and reliable power supply of renewable energy to smelters, casting houses and other facilities and maintain safe operations for its employees and the community.

The project will run until 2032, with an estimation of more than 300 people working on the site at its peak.

It includes replacing eight turbine-alternator groups, rehabilitating their water intake and hydraulic passage, building an extension and mechanical workshop to the north of the power station, replacing electrical and mechanical equipment, and modifying a spillway so that it can be used reliably in winter.

Rio Tinto aluminium Atlantic operations managing director Sébastien Ross says the Isle-Maligne hydroelectric power plant has been a strategic asset for the company for 100 years, drawing on the expertise and dedication of multiple generations of employees and business partners.

“This major investment to modernise our facilities will ensure the long-term future and competitivity of our low carbon aluminium production in Quebec for decades to come for our Canadian and American customers,” he said.

This investment is in addition to previously announced projects worth a combined $284m (US$183m) for the refurbishment of butterfly valves and work on two other turbine-alternator groups at the Isle-Maligne power plant.