German aluminium producer Alunorf inks wind PPA to go green

German aluminium producer Aluminium Norf GmbH (Alunorf) will procure electricity from five wind parks in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint.

As part of a power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with French energy company Engie SA (EPA:ENGI), Alunorf will off-take about 28 million kWh of green electricity in 2022 which is enough to power four induction furnaces.

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The PPA with Alunorf will ensure the continued operation of the five wind parks located in Krefeld, Viersen, Dueren and Baesweiler as they no longer receive tariffs under the EEG-scheme, Engie Deutschland said on Tuesday.

The deal with Engie will help Alunorf gain experience in the use of green electricity and the effect of supply fluctuations. On this basis, the aluminium producer will devise a strategy for the expansion of renewable energy in its electricity portfolio, said Alunorf manager Oliver Hommel.

Based in Neuss, North Rhine Westphalia, Alunorf claims to be the world's largest aluminium rolling mill with an annual production of about 1.5 million tonnes. The company aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2026 as compared with 2015. As part of the measures taken to achieve the goal, it has invested EUR 18 million (USD 20.08m) to build a third recycling furnace in Neuss that is expected to go online in mid-2023. Recycling is a key to making aluminium production more climate-friendly as aluminium is considered to be infinitely recyclable and the use of recycling material requires 95% less energy than the production of primary aluminium.

(EUR 1 = USD 1.116)