Rio Tinto QMM Lays Foundation Stone of its Renewable Energy Project

For Matt Tilleard, Managing Partner of CBE, "By establishing a commercial power plant that blends solar PV, battery energy storage, and wind power, the QMM project greatly improves the island of Madagascar standing as a regional renewable energy leader. CBE is pleased to take up this technical challenge. We believe large-scale, complex commercial energy projects can be realized here in Madagascar thanks to ample supply of renewable resources, holistic government support, and knowledgeable local implementing partners.”

"This project is important in Madagascar's development strategy, particularly within the Plan Emergence Sud, which makes access to electricity for the people of the Anosy region a priority. We are pleased to see this project start on schedule, thanks to the unwavering commitment of all project sponsors and regulators. We are creating a public-private partnership model that will position Madagascar as a destination for technological innovation in the field of renewable energy and attract new expertise," said Andry Ramaroson, Minister of Energy and Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Madagascar.

The project is also an opportunity to build local expertise. QMM and CBE are also working with the local authorities to develop manufacturing capacity to produce equipment for the renewable industry at Ehoala Park, a strategic zone open to national and international investors.