The 531 megawatt (MW) Mendubim solar project, constructed by Hydro Rein, Equinor, and Scatec, has reportedly started operations in Brazil, delivering electricity to the Alunorte Alumina refinery.
In July 2022, Hydro Rein, Equinor, and Scatec formed a partnership and started constructing this solar project in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. In less than two years, the project will be completed and begin operations to provide alternative renewable energy solutions to sustainable industries.
The head of Hydro Rein, Olivier Girardot, said: “We are thrilled to complete the first of Hydro Rein’s renewable energy projects in Brazil. Our mission is to develop renewable energy solutions for more sustainable industries, and Mendubim does just that. Most of the power output will go to Hydro’s alumina refinery Alunorte in Para, supporting one of the largest decarbonisation projects in the world. We are very proud to take part in this development together with Equinor and Scatec.”
As per the report, Alunorte will purchase approximately 60 per cent of the power produced at this solar plant to use it to decarbonise the refinement process and produce greener alumina. The remaining volume produced at the solar plant will be sold in the Brazilian power market.
Alunorte’s Operations Vice President, Carlos Neves, said: “We have a very robust roadmap to decarbonisation to produce greener alumina at the Alunorte refinery, which will bring us to be one of the lowest carbon emitting refineries in the world by 2030 and reach zero emissions by 2040. With this project, we reinforce Hydro’s commitment to deliver zero-carbon aluminium products to customers and Alunorte is an important enabler of the overall ambition of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
Olav Kolbeinstveit, Senior Vice President for Onshore and Markets within Renewables at Equinor, commented: “Launching a major new solar plant in Brazil in partnership with Scatec and Hydro Rein is an important achievement. Equinor has conducted business in Brazil for over two decades, and we see the country as a core area for long-term profitable growth. By investing in renewable energy, we are supporting Brazil’s ambitions towards a diverse energy mix and helping to meet the expected power demand growth in the country.”
Hydro Rein, Equinor, and Scatec each own 30 per cent of this project. Alunorte Alumina holds the remaining 10 per cent.
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