Rio Tinto Completes Largest Off-Grid Solar Power Plant in Canada’s Northwest Territories – SolarQuarter
Rio Tinto has announced the completion of a significant renewable energy project at its Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The newly installed 3.5 megawatt solar power plant marks the largest off-grid facility of its kind across Canada’s territories.
Featuring 6,620 solar panels, the plant is expected to generate 4.2 million kilowatt-hours of solar energy annually. This initiative will reduce diesel consumption at Diavik by one million litres per year and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2,900 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, akin to removing 630 cars from the road each year.
The solar power plant will supply up to 25% of Diavik’s electricity needs during closure operations, which are scheduled to conclude by 2029 following the end of commercial production in 2026. Notably, the facility utilizes bi-facial panels that capture energy from direct sunlight and reflections off the snow covering Diavik for much of the year.
This solar project complements Diavik’s existing wind power plant, operational since 2012 and recognized as the largest of its kind in Canada’s North. To date, the wind installation has generated over 195 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.
Matthew Breen, Chief Operating Officer of Diavik Diamond Mine, commented, “The largest off-grid solar power plant in Canada’s North underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship at Diavik. This project enhances our operational energy efficiency and sets a precedent for large-scale renewable energy initiatives in Northern Canada.”
The project received C$3.3 million in funding from the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Large Emitters GHG Reducing Investment Grant Program. This support is part of the territory’s approach to allocating funds from the federal carbon tax toward emissions reduction projects.
Caroline Wawzonek, Northwest Territories’ Minister of Infrastructure, praised Rio Tinto’s leadership in emissions reduction and renewable energy development. She highlighted the project’s potential to drive further advancements in the renewable energy sector within and beyond Northern Canada.
Construction of the solar plant, which began in February 2024, was undertaken by Solvest Inc. based in Whitehorse, in partnership with the Indigenous-owned Tłıchǫ Investment Corporation. Approximately 30% of the construction workforce hailed from the Tłıchǫ Investment Corporation, underscoring local community involvement and economic benefit.
Ben Power, CEO of Solvest Inc., remarked, “Building on the success of Diavik’s wind farm, this solar power plant represents a significant advancement in integrating renewable energy into Northern and off-grid mining operations. We are proud to have collaborated with Tłıchǫ Investment Corporation to deliver the largest off-grid solar project in Canada’s North, setting a precedent for future solar initiatives across the country.”
Looking ahead, Rio Tinto is engaging with the Government of the Northwest Territories and local stakeholders to explore how its renewable energy infrastructure can continue to benefit the region post-mine closure.
The initiative at Diavik aligns with Rio Tinto’s global decarbonisation goals, aiming to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions across its operations by 2050.
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