Backing in Bell Bay Aluminium

The Tasmanian government has paved the way to secure the immediate future of Bell Bay Aluminium with an in-principle 12-month power agreement.

The agreement will allow time for the State Government to continue to work with the company and the Federal Government on a long-term plan for the smelter.

“The smelter is a cornerstone of Tasmania's economy, directly employing over 550 people and supporting hundreds more through a supply chain of almost 300 local businesses,” the Premier said.

“We are doing all we can to make sure the business continues to have a strong future in the state.

“We are committed to supporting the workforce and the wider community.

“It is important all governments continue to work together with Rio Tinto to secure the future of Bell Bay Aluminium, one of Australia’s greenest smelters.”

Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan, thanked Rio Tinto and Hydro for working together on an immediate solution while we continue to work with the Federal Government on the long-term future of the smelter.

"The smelter injects $700 million of economic activity into Tasmania annually, and we are committed to its future," Minister Duigan said.

“Hydro Tasmania has been engaged in good faith negotiations with Bell Bay Aluminium, and I expect a competitive, commercial energy price consistent with its Charter obligations to put Tasmanian jobs and the economy first.

“As we have seen across the country, Federal Government support is necessary to provide the smelter with a sustainable operating trajectory, when coupled with a new long-term energy arrangement with Hydro Tasmania.

“It would be a perverse outcome for the federal funding arrangements to exclude the nation’s principal green aluminium smelter.”