How Norway’s Hydro is decarbonizing its Brazil energy matrix

Norway’s Hydro is investing in the decarbonization of its Brazilian energy matrix as part of global efforts to reduce CO2 emissions by 10% in 2025 and 30% by 2030, the company's bauxite and alumina operations director Carlos Neves (pictured) told BNamericas.

In 2021, Hydro decided to invest 1.3bn reais (US$250mn) in a project to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) at its Alunorte alumina refinery, in Pará state. 

The company signed a memorandum of understanding with New Fortress Energy (NFE) to receive LNG for 15 years.

The plant’s calcination and part of the steam generation processes are currently adapted to switch from fuel oil to natural gas. The project is expected to conclude in 2023.

Another measure underway involves the installation of an electric boiler at Alunorte, which will start operating this quarter. Activation considers the seasonality and the energy supply of the national grid, and can result in reduced CO2 emissions. 

Two additional electric boilers are in the engineering phase.

Overview of Hydro's Alunorte, in Pará state/ Hydro

Hydro's industrial units in Pará are connected to the basic power transmission network and are supplied through the national power grid. In addition to electricity consumption, Alunorte has an energy matrix that involves fuels such as coal and heavy oil to supply some internal processes. 

The units' entire demand for electricity is negotiated in the free contracting environment. 

“Hydro is increasing its share of the electricity mix at its plants through joint ventures in the generation of renewable electricity, like solar and wind. The investment in new electric boilers is associated with corresponding renewable energy generation,” Neves said.  

Also last year, Hydro announced the beginning of research into the use of solar panels at its bauxite mine in Paragominas, in Pará. 

Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA) will conduct tests with a floating PV solar power system on the water reservoir at Mineração Paragominas. 

Main objectives are to reduce water evaporation from the plant's reservoirs and providing a new energy source capable of meeting part of the mine’s consumption. 

Initial investment is about 1mn reais, and the research will last two years.

Last week, Hydro announced a 500,000-real investment in another study in partnership with UFPA to analyze the technical and economic feasibility of using açaí (a native fruit) pit as fuel. 

Pará leads the world output and export of the fruit pulp, reaching production of about 1.1Mt in 2019, according to official numbers.