The Rio Tinto-controlled Tomago aluminium smelter in NSW is struggling to come up with a plan for affordable power that would prevent its closure at the end of 2028, despite ongoing talks with the federal and state governments on a rescue package.

A series of government bailouts for metals plants in South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland have raised expectations that a similar package is around the corner for Tomago, the country’s biggest aluminium plant, which employs about 1000 people.