Rio Tinto has cut aluminum production at its Tiwai Point aluminum smelter, freeing up 500 GWh of electricity for New Zealand's national grid. The reduction, which occurred during the 2024-25 financial year, was part of an electricity demand agreement with power company Meridian Energy.
According to a financial report from Meridian, the smelter's power consumption dropped to 24% of its total generation, down from 37% the previous year. Rio Tinto had scaled back one-third of the plant's operations in June 2024 to assist during a national power shortage.
The smelter produced 257,000 tons of aluminum during the fiscal year 2024-25, a decrease from 264,000 tons in the previous year, although Rio Tinto acquired full ownership of the plant in November 2024.
Rio Tinto reduces aluminum production, freeing up power supply
27 Aug 2025 15:34 reported by Joy Liu
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