Trio of Energy Giants Kickstart Mendubim Solar Project in Brazil

Trio of Energy Giants Kickstart Mendubim Solar Project in Brazil

(IN BRIEF) Hydro Rein, Equinor, and Scatec have commenced operations at the Mendubim solar project in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Norte state, marking a significant step forward in the country’s renewable energy landscape. Developed through a partnership between the three companies, the 531 MW solar plant will primarily supply electricity to Hydro’s alumina refinery, Alunorte, supporting one of the world’s largest decarbonization initiatives. With a substantial portion of its output secured through a long-term power purchase agreement with Alunorte, the project underscores a collective commitment to sustainable progress and reinforces Brazil’s position as a key market for renewable energy expansion.

(PRESS RELEASE) OSLO, 9-Mar-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The 531 megawatt (MW) solar plant has been developed in a partnership between renewable energy solutions providers Scatec, Equinor and Hydro Rein. With this milestone achievement, the solar plant has begun delivering electricity to Hydro’s alumina refinery Alunorte.

“We are thrilled to complete the first of Hydro Rein’s renewable energy projects in Brazil. Our mission is to develop renewable energy solutions for more sustainable industries and Mendubim does just that. Most of the power output will go to Hydro’s alumina refinery Alunorte in Para, supporting one of the largest decarbonization projects in the world. We are very proud to take part in this development together with Equinor and Scatec,” says Head of Hydro Rein, Olivier Girardot.

Alunorte will purchase approximately 60 percent of the expected power produced through a 20 year USD denominated power purchase agreement (PPA). The remaining volumes will be sold in the Brazilian power market.

“We have a very robust roadmap to decarbonization to produce greener alumina at the Alunorte refinery which will bring us to be one of the lowest carbon emitting refineries in the world by 2030 and reach zero emissions by 2040. With this project we reinforce Hydro’s commitment to deliver zero-carbon aluminium products to customers and Alunorte is an important enabler of the overall ambition of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” says Alunorte’s Operations Vice President, Carlos Neves.

“This project marks a pivotal milestone in realizing our strategic objectives and reinforces our position in a prominent renewable energy growth market, bolstered by our partners Equinor and Hydro Rein. The burgeoning solar energy market in Brazil aligns with our commitment to sustainable progress, and we are excited to advance this impactful project with approximately three million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents avoided,” says Scatec’s CEO, Terje Pilskog.

“Launching a major new solar plant in Brazil in partnership with Scatec and Hydro Rein is an important achievement. Equinor has conducted business in Brazil for over two decades, and we see the country as a core area for long-term profitable growth. By investing in renewable energy, we are supporting Brazil’s ambitions towards a diverse energy mix and helping to meet the expected power demand growth in the country,” says Olav Kolbeinstveit, Senior Vice President for Onshore and Markets within Renewables at Equinor.

All three partners have an equal economic interest of 30 percent in the project. In conjunction with the start of commercial operations, Alunorte has exercised its call option and now holds the remaining 10 percent.

About Hydro Rein

Hydro Rein is a leading provider of renewable energy solutions to industrials, established by the global renewable energy and aluminium company Hydro in 2021. Hydro Rein has a diversified portfolio of more than 60 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects under development in core markets in the Nordics and Brazil.

About Alunorte

Hydro Alunorte is the world’s largest alumina refinery outside China and is located in the city of Barcarena, state of Pará. The refinery started operations in 1995, has approximately 2,200 employees and a nominal alumina production capacity of 6,3 million tonnes per year.

The alumina is the raw material for aluminum and is produced from bauxite. The bauxite used in Alunorte comes from Mineração Paragominas through a pipeline and from Mineração Rio do Norte (MRN) through the port of “Vila do Conde.” Part of the alumina produced is exported and the other part is supplied for the Albras plant also located in Barcarena, which produces aluminum ingots.

Media Contact:

Anders Berg-Hansen
Head of Communication & Public Affairs, Hydro Rein
anders.berg-hansen@hydro.com
+47 922 83 178

SOURCE: Norsk Hydro ASA