Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said a deal to secure the future of the Bell Bay aluminium smelter in northern Tasmania is “pretty close”, as negotiations continue between the federal government, Tasmanian Government and Rio Tinto.

The Bell Bay smelter is operated by Rio Tinto and relies on electricity supplied through an agreement with Hydro Tasmania. The existing energy arrangement is due to expire at the end of 2026, creating pressure for the parties to reach a new agreement.

The issue has become a significant political and economic matter in Tasmania because Bell Bay is an important industrial employer and part of the state's manufacturing and resources economy. The future of the smelter has also attracted federal attention because of its role in regional employment and aluminium production.

According to the Northern Tasmania regional briefing, the Tasmanian Government says there is currently an estimated $60 million annual gap between the electricity price Rio Tinto is willing to pay and the price Hydro Tasmania is seeking for the power supply.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has called on the federal government to contribute to efforts to secure the smelter's future. The discussions therefore involve questions about electricity pricing, government assistance and the long-term viability of the facility.

Prime Minister Albanese said negotiations were progressing and indicated that an agreement was close, although the final terms had not been announced at the time of the report.

The negotiations are taking place against a broader debate about the role of government in supporting major industrial facilities and maintaining manufacturing jobs in regional Australia. Energy costs are particularly important for aluminium production because smelting requires large and continuous amounts of electricity.

For Tasmania, the Bell Bay issue also has implications for the state's electricity market and industrial strategy. Hydro Tasmania is the state's publicly owned electricity generator and is involved in negotiations over the supply arrangement.

The federal government has previously been involved in discussions about support for major industrial projects, while the Tasmanian Government has continued to seek arrangements that would maintain the smelter's operations beyond the expiry of the current agreement.

At this stage, the governments and Rio Tinto have not announced a completed long-term agreement. Albanese's comments indicate negotiations are continuing, with the future energy arrangement still being worked through.