Hydro starts onsite renewable energy production with battery storage systems at aluminium plants in Sweden

In a step on the path to zero emissions, Hydro Extrusion in Sweden starts onsite production of renewable energy. The end goal is a switch to 100 percent locally produced energy from renewable sources for the operation of Hydro’s extrusion plants in Vetlanda and Finspång.

With the recent completion of phase one, executed by Hydro’s renewable energy company, Hydro Rein, rooftop and ground mounted solar panels, coupled with battery storage systems have started delivering an important contribution to this ambitious goal, supplementing an already existing local hydropower plant.

“We are continuously reducing our emissions and recycling more scrap, but to meet growing customer demands and to further contribute to a more viable local community we need to both increase our pace and take further steps. With the commissioning of the solar panels and battery storage systems, made possible through collaborative efforts with Hydro Rein, we are confident that we are on the right track,” says Jacob Reeckmann, Head of Sales and Marketing, Hydro Extrusion, Region North.

The technical solution involves 7 rooftop installations, with a total capacity of 2.1 MWp, a 2 MWp ground-mounted solar PV system and 3 battery storage solutions with a total capacity of 4.5 MW. The energy storage systems will provide flexibility to manage how and when energy is used in the most cost-effective way, as well as providing support services to the grid.

In addition to energy production, the solar panels will prominently showcase Hydro’s dedication to sustainability, which was an integral aspect of the project. The project has a firm goal of no net loss of biodiversity for natural habitats which will be met and even exceeded, through measures leading to an increase of biodiversity in the area, such as planting of native trees and bushes, and placing dead wood around the areas.

“Our goal is to make industries more profitable and sustainable. With these projects we are accelerating Hydro Extrusion’s journey towards zero emissions with a range of services tailored to their needs. This project is cutting energy costs and reducing the plants carbon footprint, while at the same time increasing flexibility through onsite production and energy storage,” says Marianne Wergeland Jenssen, Head of Energy Solutions, Hydro Rein.

The demand for renewable energy, with stable supply at competitive prices is rising in Sweden. This is particularly true for southern Sweden where the aluminium profile manufacturer Hydro Extrusion has its production, with extrusion activities in Vetlanda and Finspång and a recycler in Sjunnen.

The ambitious energy project was initiated in 2022. The end goal is to reduce CO2 emissions from the extrusion plants in Vetlanda and Finspång to zero, through reduction of total electricity consumption and production of local renewable energy. Attention is now directed to further improvement activities including an array of energy efficiency and transition measures to reduce climate and environmental impact.