Tiwai Point Smelter Will Remain Open Until 2024


A new electricity agreement extends the life of the Tiwai Point smelter (above) until the end of 2024.
Rio Tinto has reached an agreement on a new electricity agreement with Meridian Energy that will allow New Zealand’s Aluminum Smelter (NZAS) to continue operating the Tiwai Point aluminum smelter until December 31, 2024. Discussions with the New Zealand government are progressing to address the smelter’s high transmission costs, but a new agreement was reached with Meridian Energy relating to power prices, making the smelter economically viable and competitive over the next four years, Rio Tinto said.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Meridian Energy that will enable the Tiwai Point smelter to continue producing some of the lowest carbon aluminum in the world,” Rio Tinto Aluminum Chief Executive Alf Barrios said. “This agreement improves Tiwai Point’s competitive position and secures the extension of operation to December 2024.” The agreement will also allow Rio Tinto, the New Zealand government, Meridian and the Southland community more time to plan for the future, he added.

The extension provides time for detailed closure studies to be completed. Plans for eventual closure of the Tiwai Point smelter will include extensive stakeholder consultation, including within the Southland community, Rio Tinto said. In July 2020, Rio Tinto announced the conclusion of a strategic review of the smelter and a decision to wind down operations by August 2021 due to high energy and transmission costs. NZAS is a joint venture between Rio Tinto (79.36%) and Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd. (20.64%). It employs around 1,000 people directly and creates a further 1,600 indirect jobs in Southland.

As featured in Womp 2021 Vol 02 - www.womp-int.com