Hydro’s Rackwitz and Uphusen aluminium plants to house solar photovoltaic rooftops for decarbonised operations

In pursuit of decarbonising aluminium production, Norsk Hydro continues to install onsite solar energy production and energy efficiency measures at its aluminium plants in Germany. Two plants in Rackwitz and one plant in Uphusen, Germany, will have solar photovoltaic rooftops and battery storage systems aimed at operating using locally produced energy.

Image Source: Hydro

Previously, Hydro installed the same system at its Offenburg extrusion plant and began interim operations.

“We are continuously reducing our own emissions and these installations are an efficient way to introduce locally produced, renewable energy. In order to meet the growing demands from customers for products with lower footprint and to further contribute to local societies where we operate, we need to accelerate our efforts. With the deployment of solar panels and battery storage systems, we are confident that we are progressing in the right direction,” said Jacques Podszun, Vice President of the Germany, Austria and Switzerland region in Hydro Extrusions.

Hydro will install 1,500 kilowatts of battery packs and 854 megawatts per hour (annually) of renewable energy-producing rooftop solar panels at its Rackwitz and Uphusen plants. These systems will enable Hydro plants to produce extruded aluminium and extruded aluminium ingot with lower operational costs and carbon emissions.

Hydro installed and commenced the operation of the first solar photovoltaic and battery storage system in 2023, and it aims to complete the project by early 2025. It is a two-year project led and delivered by Hydro Rein, a joint venture between Hydro and Macquarie, specialising in renewable energy generation.

“Our goal is to make industries more profitable and sustainable, as self-production and flexibility behind the meter can compete on costs compared to market and grid costs. We are proud to deliver services to Hydro’s plants in Germany and to help accelerate their journey towards zero emissions. This project is both cutting energy costs and reducing the carbon footprint, while increasing flexibility through onsite production and energy storage,” said Marianne Wergeland Jenssen, Head of Energy Solutions in Hydro Rein.