Chris Bowen has denied the Albanese government’s energy policy is to blame for the possible closure of Australia’s largest aluminium smelter, despite the claims of its owner.

Rio Tinto announced on Tuesday that it was beginning consultations with employees of its Tomago aluminium smelter on the future of the plant, in a move that could put 1,000 jobs at risk.

In a statement by the company, Rio Tinto said it had been unable to find a commercially sustainable energy solution to keep the smelter open past 2028, when its electricity contract expires.

“Finding competitively priced energy remains the central challenge, with electricity accounting for more than 40 per cent of Tomago Aluminium’s current operating costs,” Rio Tinto said in a statement.

“Based on market proposals received to d

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