13 August 2026 | Tomago, Hunter Region, New South Wales
A new long-term electricity agreement has secured the operating outlook for Tomago Aluminium through 2038 and supports an A$1.1 billion investment program at Australia’s largest aluminium smelter.
Long-term certainty for a major processing operation
The agreement gives Tomago a longer planning horizon for one of Australia’s most significant industrial processing facilities. The smelter is expected to continue operating through 2038, providing certainty for its workforce, suppliers and contractors.
Tomago supports about 1,000 direct employees and approximately 200 full-time-equivalent contractors. The operation is a major contributor to the Hunter Region and an important part of Australia’s aluminium supply chain.
A$1.1 billion investment program
The long-term arrangement is linked to an investment program valued at approximately A$1.1 billion. The work is expected to support operational reliability, asset renewal and the smelter’s transition to a lower-emissions power supply.
Tomago plans to move to 100 per cent renewable electricity from 2033. Integrating renewable power into a large, continuous smelting operation will require careful delivery across power systems, maintenance, engineering and operational planning.
Workforce implications
The announcement does not identify specific vacancies. However, a multi-year investment and energy-transition program of this scale may support demand across processing operations, maintenance, reliability, electrical and mechanical engineering, project delivery and shutdown services.
The agreement also provides greater certainty for the existing workforce and the contractors that support the smelter’s day-to-day operation and capital program.
Next steps
Tomago will progress the investment program and prepare for the renewable-electricity transition ahead of 2033 while continuing aluminium production under the new long-term arrangements.
Source: Rio Tinto, “Tomago Aluminium long-term agreement”, 13 August 2026.