Tomago Aluminium smelter plans to switch 100% green by 2030

The Tomago aluminium smelter in the Hunter Valley region of Australia, which is considered as the biggest energy user of the nation has declared that it plans to shift towards 100% renewable energy by 2030, anticipating an early conclusion with AGL’s Bayswater coal-burning power station that cast up Tomago as its biggest customer.

Matt Howell, CEO, Tomago Aluminium said: “Our goal would be, by 2029, that the largest load in Australia is, for all intents and purposes, 100 per cent renewable.”

Glenn Walker, Senior Campaigner, Greenpeace Australia Pacific said: “The news meant that it would be almost impossible for Bayswater to remain operating beyond 2029.”

“This announcement is a game-changer for Australian energy, and underscores the need for AGL, Australia’s biggest coal power operator, to rapidly switch to renewable energy production to keep up with the demands of the market,” he said.

“AGL has planned to push the life of its Bayswater coal-burning power station well into the 2030s, but with its biggest customer, Tomago Aluminium, showing energy leadership and switching to renewable energy by 2029, it’s almost impossible to see how AGL can avoid bringing forward Bayswater’s closure.”

“We’ll be watching claims of gas back up for Tomago closely. Gas is a dangerous, expensive fossil fuel that’s a primary driver of climate change, and has no place in Australia’s energy transition.”

“AGL’s leadership must act decisively and hasten its transition away from coal to protect energy sector jobs, and to ensure the future viability of the company in a world that is shifting at lightning speed to cleaner, cheaper renewables.”

Rio Tinto owned (major) Tomago Aluminium consumes half of the coal-fired energy produced by Bayswater.

Lindsay Soutar, Director of Reenergise, stated the announcement is a piece of welcome news and the global resources giant must go ahead.

“Greenpeace welcomes the move by Tomago to ditch dirty coal for cleaner, cheaper renewable energy. This week’s IPCC climate report shows the urgent need for Australian companies to show leadership in making the emissions reduction cuts needed to safeguard our climate and prosperity. Tomago’s announcement sets an example to high-emitting industries – making the switch to clean energy isn’t just possible, it’s necessary,” she said.

“Tomago owner Rio Tinto, Australia’s biggest energy user, must now go further and commit to 100 per cent renewable energy for all of its operations by 2030.”