Jun 3, 2026 – 5.00amMore solar farms will begin construction in Australia in 2026 than any previous year on record as the power demands of big corporates and the growth of batteries promise to turn around a prolonged investment slump holding back the energy transition.The revival of solar investment has been led by mining giants Fortescue and Rio Tinto, which have backed several massive solar projects on Australia’s east and west coasts this year to supply mines and metals smelters with green energy.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
Mining giants fuel revival of green energy investment
The power needs of Rio Tinto and Fortescue will push annual investment in new large-scale solar farms to an all-time high in 2026.
Fortescue and Rio Tinto are backing record solar projects in 2026 to power Australian mining operations with green energy. The surge signals battery-storage maturity is accelerating corporate renewable capex and reshaping industrial power economics.








