Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC), one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives, will begin construction of the Jinbi Solar Project in the Pilbara after reaching financial close and signing a 30-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Rio Tinto.
The project is YEC’s first to progress through to financial close, three years after YEC was established as a partnership between Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation and ACEN Corporation.
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A central component of the commercial framework is a long‑term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Rio Tinto for Stage 1 of the project. Under the agreement, YEC will supply 100% of the electricity generated by Jinbi to Rio Tinto, supporting decarbonisation of Rio Tinto’s Iron Ore Pilbara operations once the project is operational.
Stage 1 of the Jinbi Solar Project will comprise a 75MWac solar facility, with an option to expand to 150MWac, including the potential addition of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), subject to regulatory approvals and future development decisions.
YEC has issued notices to proceed to its engineering, procurement and construction contractor, DT Infrastructure. Construction will now commence, with full commercial operations expected in mid‑2028.
YEC CEO Craig Ricato said, “Reaching Financial Close on our first project in the Pilbara within three years of the partnership’s operation is a significant milestone for YEC and our shareholders, the Yindjibarndi Traditional Owners and ACEN.
“It confirms that a Yindjibarndi-led project, grounded in Country and culture, can meet the rigorous commercial requirements of the energy market while staying true to our values and governance responsibilities.”
Yindjibarndi Nation CEO Michael Woodley said, “Jinbi is about more than a renewable energy project—it is about Yindjibarndi people exercising authority on Country and building an economic future that reflects our law, culture and responsibilities.
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“Reaching Financial Close demonstrates that when development is Yindjibarndi‑led, underpinned by strong governance and the right partnerships, it can deliver outcomes that are both commercially sound and culturally grounded.”
