Residents are calling for renewable energy solutions at Alcoa

SURF Coast residents are calling for Alcoa to consider renewable energy solutions amid fears the smelters seeks to sell coal directly to the market.

The Anglesea brown coal-fired power station supplies 40 per cent of Point Henry's aluminium smelter electricity requirements.

An Alcoa spokesperson said the company had applied to the Essential Services Commission to enable Anglesea power station to continue to fuel Point Henry.

However, Surf Coast Air Action spokeswoman Dr Jacinta Morahan said with the future of the smelter uncertain, the group believed Alcoa will propose to sell or operate the mine and power plant as an electricity generator.

"Granting Alcoa a licence to generate electricity will not promote the long term interests of Victorian consumers," she said.

In 2012 the company announced a review into the future viability of the Point Henry smelter, with a possible reduction of production or closure of the plant.

The Alcoa spokesperson said the company would not speculate on the future of the site.

"Throughout the past five to 10 years, Alcoa has investigated a number of potential alternative and renewable energy sources including natural gas, solar, wave and wind power,".

The spokesperson said none of the renewable energy sources are available at the price or scale required for aluminium smelting.

The licence responsibility is part of Alcoa's electricity agreement with the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, which expires in July 2014.

A spokesperson said without the licence, Alcoa could not supply power to Point Henry.

Alcoa has an approved plan in place for the Anglesea mine until 2016.