Century Aluminum’s Mt. Holly smelter power issues remain elusive despite talks

The issue of powering Century Aluminum’s Mount Holly aluminium smelter still remains unresolved. At least, that is what one can make out from the ongoing talks between the owner and the state power provider Santee Cooper.

The deal signed between the two entities on December 31st last year remains largely unworked till now.

Source: Century Aluminum

Power issues have been disrupting operations at Mount Holly aluminium smelter for long. Following a dispute over the current agreement, Century Aluminum downed half of the smelter’s capacity; it resulted in a job loss of around 300 plant workers.

However, both Century and Santee Cooper hope that the dispute will end soon before the agreement expires on December 31st 2018.

Under the current agreement, Century is obligated to buy one quarter of its electricity requirement from Santee Cooper. In turn, the aluminium company has offered to pay US$2 million per year. The payment includes prices for higher transmission from the state source as well.

Santee Cooper, it seems, is not in agreement with the idea of transmission extra electricity as that might hamper transmission to its wholesale, industrial, commercial or residential customers.