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Rio Tinto Energizes 25-Megawatt Solar Plant at Kennecott Copper Operations in Utah

SOLAR ENERGY

Rio Tinto has energized a 25-megawatt solar plant at its Kennecott copper operations in Utah, increasing total solar capacity to 30 megawatts. This capacity can power approximately 1,026 homes and reduce Scope 2 emissions by about 20,000 tonnes CO₂e annually.

Construction began in October 2024 in partnership with Bechtel and was completed in October 2025, with energization in December. The solar panels incorporate tellurium produced at the site, which Kennecott began producing as a byproduct in 2022. Tellurium is converted into semiconductor materials by 5N Plus in Canada and supplied to First Solar for manufacturing photovoltaic panels.

Rio Tinto Energizes 25-Megawatt Solar Plant at Kennecott Copper Operations in Utah
Jan 22, 2026, 6:00 AM

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