Contact signs deal to restart potline at Tiwai aluminium smelter

Contact Energy has signed an agreement with Rio Tinto to deliver the power necessary to restart the Line 4 potline at the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter at Tiwai.

The non-binding letter of intent for a power purchase agreement would support the restart of the idle Line 4 potline.

The smelter would become a long-term customer for Contact's recently consented Southland Wind Farm, helping unlock new renewable generation and regional economic growth.

Line 4 at Tiwai Point has been idle since 2020.

Its restart would require about 50MW of additional electricity and would deliver increased production and export earnings for New Zealand.

This story was first published on rnz.co.nz