Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation’s Jinbi solar project under way to service Rio Tinto energy

Plans for a solar farm on Yindjibarndi country aimed at servicing Rio Tinto energy usage are well under way with the project predicted for commercial operation by early 2028. The Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation aims to deliver up to 3GW of wind, solar and battery storage on country in the next several years, starting with the Jinbi solar farm. “The Yindjibarndi people are the people who initiated this opportunity and brought in the commercial counterparties,” YEC chief executive Craig Ricato said. “For the Yindjibarndi people, it’s very important that they always have control over what gets built and where it gets built, and that it’s done in a way that respects culture, respects country and respects traditional use. “The sole purpose of this facility (Jinbi) will be for the Rio Tinto network, and will be to service the Rio Tinto energy usage both inland and on the coast. “Rio Tinto have an aspiration to decarbonise, they currently think they’re going to require at least 3GW by early 2030s. In Yindjibarndi, when we started this journey, our aspiration (was) to get to 2-3GW.” Governor Chris Dawson toured the site of the YEC’s proposed Jinbi solar farm on November 27, speaking directly with Yindjibarndi traditional owners. “Being onsite here on Yindjibarndi country gives me a perspective, rather than just someone talking to me about it in Perth,” Mr Dawson said. “Speaking with traditional owners, I was really encouraged to hear that some of the environmental and development approvals have been progressed within 80-90 days. “I hear at times that bureaucracy stops progress and I’ve heard it firsthand that they are talking openly about the government and the bureaucratic processes working very well with them, that’s a story I’d like to hear all the time.”