Yindjibarndi Energy Corp., a partnership between the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corp. and Philippine-listed renewable energy firm ACEN Corp., will begin construction of the Jinbi Solar Project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region after reaching Financial Close and securing a 30-year power purchase agreement with Rio Tinto.
The development marks a major step for one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives. It confirms that all major funding, approvals, contractual arrangements, and regulatory requirements needed for construction have been completed.
The Jinbi Solar Project is the first development of YEC to reach Financial Close since the venture was established three years ago.
Under the agreement, YEC will supply all electricity generated by Stage 1 of the project to Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore operations, supporting the mining giant’s decarbonization goals.
The project’s first phase will include a 75-megawatt alternating current solar facility, equivalent to 102 megawatts direct current, with an option to expand capacity to 150 megawatts alternating current. The expansion could also include battery energy storage systems, subject to future approvals.
YEC has issued notices to proceed to engineering contractor DT Infrastructure and accommodation provider Rapid Camps. Early site preparation is already underway through Yurra, the project’s preferred civil works partner.
Commercial operations are expected to begin in mid-2028.
YEC chief executive Craig Ricato said the milestone demonstrated that a Yindjibarndi-led project could meet commercial energy market standards while remaining grounded in Indigenous culture and governance.
Yindjibarndi Nation chief executive Michael Woodley said the project represented a long-term economic and cultural investment for Yindjibarndi people and their stewardship of Country.
