Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mine has installed a 3.5-megawatt solar plant in Canada’s Northwest Territories, creating the largest off-grid solar facility in the country’s territories and a landmark project for diamond renewable energy.
Diavik: Canada’s Largest Wind and Solar Power
Designed to supply 25% of the Diavik diamond mine’s energy needs during its closure phase, the new 3.5 MW solar power plant is now the largest off-grid solar installation across the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut.
This solar project complements Diavik’s pioneering wind farm, which has been operational since 2012. The wind farm is Canada’s largest in the North, having already generated over 1.95 GWh of electricity since its launch.
“Our commitment to the environment includes the establishment of Canada’s largest off-grid solar power plant in the North, enhancing the energy efficiency of our operations at Diavik. We take pride in pioneering large-scale renewable energy projects in this region,” said Diavik COO Matthew Breen.
Solar Installation to Cut Diesel Use at Diavik Diamond Mine
The facility features 6,620 bifacial solar panels that will generate 4.2 GWh of clean electricity annually, replacing one million litres of diesel. This project received CAD 3.3 million (USD 2.40m/EUR 2.24m) in funding from the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Large Emitters GHG Reducing Investment Grant Program.
Image: Collected
As the Diavik mine prepares for its planned closure in 2026, the solar facility will supply up to a quarter of its electricity for ongoing operations. The decommissioning process is expected to continue until 2029, though it remains uncertain how the solar and wind projects will be integrated into the local energy network afterward.
Rio Tinto says that Diavik is collaborating with the Government of the Northwest Territories and community partners to determine how best to use its renewable energy infrastructure to benefit the region after the mine closes.
First GHG Reduction Project Funded by Large Emitters Grant
The project in the Northwest Territories is the first to receive funding from the Large Emitters Grant, which allocates a portion of carbon taxes paid by major operations like Diavik for initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the region.
“I applaud Rio Tinto for completing Canada’s largest off-grid solar plant in the North at the Diavik mine. This project showcases Rio Tinto’s commitment to emissions reduction and highlights the potential for renewable energy leadership in the region. The Government of the Northwest Territories is proud to support this initiative through the Large Emitters GHG Reducing Investment Grant program, which aims to reduce emissions and aligns with our approach to the federal carbon tax in the NWT,” said Northwest Territories’ Minister of Infrastructure Caroline Wawzonek.
Collaborative Construction: Solvest, Tłıchǫ and Diavik
Construction began in February 2024 through a partnership between Solvest Inc. of Whitehorse and the Indigenous-owned Tłıchǫ Investment Corporation, with support from Diavik. Members of the Tłıchǫ Investment Corporation comprised approximately 30% of the construction workforce.
“Following the success of their 2012 wind farm, Diavik has made another major advancement in proving the feasibility of renewable energy for Northern and off-grid mines. Solvest is honoured to collaborate with Tłıchǫ Investment Corporation in constructing Canada’s largest off-grid solar power plant in the North. This project serves as a model for incorporating solar energy into mines across Canada and other Northern areas,” said Ben Power, CEO of Solvest Inc.
This initiative is part of Rio Tinto’s advancing decarbonization efforts worldwide, targeting a 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 2030 and aiming for net zero emissions across all operations by 2050.
