Rio Tinto completes largest off-grid solar plant in Canada’s Northwest Territories

Rio Tinto has announced the completion of a major renewable energy project at its Diavik diamond mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The newly installed 3.5-megawatt solar plant marks the largest off-grid installation of its kind in the Canadian territories.

Equipped with 6,620 solar panels, the plant is expected to generate 4.2 million kilowatt-hours of solar energy per year. The initiative will reduce Diavik’s diesel consumption by one million liters per year and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2,900 tons of CO2 equivalent, which is equivalent to taking 630 cars off the road each year.

The solar plant will supply up to 25% of Diavik’s electricity needs during closure operations, which are expected to be completed by 2029 after commercial production ends in 2026. Interestingly, the facility uses double-sided panels that capture energy from direct sunlight and reflections from the snow that covers Diavik for most of the year.

The solar project complements the existing Diavik wind farm, which has been in operation since 2012 and is considered the largest of its kind in northern Canada. To date, the wind farm has generated more than 195 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.

Matthew Breen, COO of the Diavik diamond mine, commented: “The largest off-grid solar plant in northern Canada underscores our commitment to the environment at Diavik. This project increases our operational energy efficiency and sets a precedent for large-scale renewable energy initiatives in northern Canada.”

The project received $3.3 million in funding from the Large Emitters GHG Reducing Government of the Northwest Territories’ Capital Grant Program. This support is part of the territory’s approach to allocating federal carbon tax funds to emission reduction projects.

Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Infrastructure for the Northwest Territories, praised Rio Tinto’s leadership in reducing emissions and developing renewable energy. She highlighted the project’s potential to drive further advances in the renewable energy sector in northern Canada and beyond.

Construction of the solar plant, which began in February 2024, was carried out by Whitehorse-based Solvest Inc. in partnership with the Indigenous-owned Tłıchǫ Investment Corporation. About 30% of the construction workers were from the Tłıchǫ Investment Corporation, underscoring the community involvement and economic benefits.

Ben Power, CEO of Solvest Inc., noted, “Building on the success of the Diavik Wind Farm, this solar facility represents a significant advancement in integrating renewable energy into off-grid and mining operations in the North. We are proud to have partnered with Tłıchǫ Investment Corporation to deliver the largest off-grid solar project in Northern Canada, setting a precedent for future solar initiatives across the country.”

Looking to the future, Rio Tinto is working with the Northwest Territories Government and local stakeholders to explore how renewable energy infrastructure can continue to benefit the region after the mine closes.

The Diavik initiative is in line with Rio Tinto’s global decarbonisation goals to reduce its scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions across all its operations by 2050.

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