Contact signs deal to get Line 4 potline at Tiwai Point aluminium smelter restarted

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 act 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.

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