SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Jérôme Pécresse appointed head of Rio Tinto’s global aluminium activities

Rio Tinto has chosen Jérôme Pécresse to lead the decarbonization of its aluminum sector in Quebec, marking its commitment to reducing carbon emissions. The group is also investing $1.1 billion in the ecological expansion of its plant, underlining the growing importance of sustainability in the aluminum industry.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Rio Tinto chooses Jérôme Pécresse to steer the decarbonization of its aluminum sector

Jérôme Pécresse to lead Rio Tinto’s transformation towards sustainable Quebec aluminum

Rio Tinto has appointed Jérôme Pécresse as General Manager of its Quebec-based aluminum operations, with responsibility for overseeing decarbonization. Mr Pécresse, 56, will take up his new post on October 23.
Its role will be to lead the decarbonization agenda for this sector, which is a major emitter of greenhouse gases. Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm praised his experience in renewable energy and the mining industry, calling him the ideal leader to shape a low-carbon future for Rio Tinto’s Aluminium group.
Mr. Pécresse was previously CEO of General Electric (GE) Renewable Energies. He also worked for the Imerys group, a producer of industrial minerals, and began his career at Credit Suisse First Boston. He is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées.

Rio Tinto invests $1.1 billion in green expansion of its Quebec aluminum smelter

Aluminium is Rio Tinto’s second largest business, employing 15,000 people in 7 countries. In June, the Group announced a $1.1 billion investment to expand and green its aluminum plant in Quebec, the first major aluminum production project in North America in a decade.

At the end of July, Rio Tinto acknowledged that it was unlikely to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets by 2025. However, the Group is committed to promoting decarbonization across its global operations with a view to achieving “carbon neutrality” by 2050.

Why does it matter?

Rio Tinto’s appointment of Jérôme Pécresse to lead decarbonization efforts in its aluminum sector reflects the company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions. As aluminum production is a major emitter of greenhouse gases, this initiative is of great importance in the context of sustainability and environmental concerns.

Rio Tinto’s investment in the greening of its aluminum smelter in Quebec is also indicative of a broader industry movement towards more environmentally-friendly practices.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
United States adds 11.7 GW of renewable capacity in Q3 despite uncertainty
Framatome to upgrade critical systems at Columbia nuclear power plant
Plug Power signs with Hy2gen for 5MW electrolyser in France
France and China prepare climate task force to secure nuclear and cleantech
Oil stabilises below $63 as markets watch Ukraine talks
Sembcorp acquires Alinta Energy for AU$6.5bn to enter Australian power market
Singapore’s Sembcorp Industries has entered the Australian energy market with the acquisition of Alinta Energy in a deal valued at AU$6.5bn ($4.3bn), including debt.
Potentia Energy secures $553mn financing to support its Australian portfolio
Potentia Energy has secured $553mn in financing to optimise its operational renewable assets and support the delivery of six new projects totalling over 600 MW of capacity across Australia.
Drax to invest up to £2bn to transform coal power station into data centre
Drax plans to convert its 1,000-acre site in Yorkshire into a data centre by 2027, repurposing former coal infrastructure and existing grid connections.
EDF installs 180-tonne synchronous compensator in Guadeloupe to secure power grid
EDF has inaugurated a synchronous compensator in Guadeloupe to enhance the stability of an isolated power grid, an unprecedented initiative aiming to reduce dependence on thermal plants and the risk of prolonged outages.
NGE and AREC launch an energy network to shape Magna Porta
NGE and the Agence Régionale Énergie Climat Occitanie form a partnership to develop a heating and cooling network designed to support economic activity in the Magna Porta zone, with locally integrated production solutions.
GEODIS and EDF sign deal to decarbonise global logistics chain
GEODIS and EDF have signed a strategic partnership to cut emissions from logistics and energy flows, with projects planned in France and abroad.
ExxonMobil cuts $10 billion from its low-carbon plans by 2030
The American oil group now plans to invest $20 billion in low-emission technologies by 2030, down from the $30 billion initially announced one year earlier.
BHP sells 49% of its Pilbara power network to GIP for $2 billion
BHP sells a minority stake in its Western Australia Iron Ore power network to Global Infrastructure Partners for $2 billion, retaining strategic control while securing long-term funding for its mining expansion.
Chinese cleantech investments reshape the global industrial energy map
More than $80bn in overseas cleantech investments in one year reveal China’s strategy to export solar and battery overcapacity while bypassing Western trade barriers by establishing industrial operations across the Global South.
Exxaro expands its energy assets and strengthens renewable capacity
Exxaro increases its energy portfolio in South Africa with new wind and solar assets to secure power supply for operations and expand its role in independent generation.
Plenitude acquires ACEA Energia for €587mn and accelerates European growth
Plenitude acquires full ownership of ACEA Energia for up to €587mn, adding 1.4 million customers to its portfolio and reaching its European commercial target ahead of schedule.
ABB takes stake in OctaiPipe to optimise data centre operations
ABB invests in UK-based start-up OctaiPipe to strengthen its smart energy-saving solutions for data centre infrastructure.
Enbridge forecasts EBITDA up to CAD20.8bn for 2026 and raises dividend
Enbridge has announced a 3% increase in its annual dividend for 2026 and expects steady revenue growth, with up to CAD20.8bn ($15.2bn) in EBITDA and CAD10bn ($7.3bn) in capital investment.
Axess Group signs strategic agreement with ARO Drilling in Saudi Arabia
Axess Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with ARO Drilling to deliver asset integrity management services across its fleet, integrating digital technologies to optimise operations.
Eskom forecasts $937 million profit for 2026 fiscal year
South African state utility Eskom expects a second consecutive year of profit, supported by tariff increases, lower debt levels and improved operations.
Equans launches new entity for industries with complex processes
Equans Process Solutions brings together its expertise to support highly technical industrial sectors with an integrated offer covering the entire project lifecycle in France and abroad.
Zenith Energy shifts focus between Tunisian arbitration and Italian solar assets
Zenith Energy centres its strategy on a $572.65mn ICSID claim against Tunisia, an Italian solar portfolio and uranium permits, amid financial strain and reliance on capital markets.
Kamoa-Kakula mine in DRC targets 347 MW in electricity demand by 2028
Ivanhoe Mines expects a 67% increase in electricity consumption at its copper mine in DRC, supported by new hydroelectric, solar and imported supply sources.
Q ENERGY France and AMRF sign agreement to accelerate rural electrification
Q ENERGY France and the Association of Rural Mayors of France have entered a strategic partnership to develop local electrification and support France's energy sovereignty through rural territories.
ACWA Power and Aramco secure $8.2bn financing for 15 GW renewable projects
ACWA Power, Badeel and SAPCO have secured $8.2bn in financing to develop seven solar and wind power plants with a combined capacity of 15 GW in Saudi Arabia, under the national programme overseen by the Ministry of Energy.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.