Hydro Alunorte becomes Northern Brazil's first alumina refinery to switch to natural gas

World's largest alumina refinery (outside China), Hydro Alunorte's recent fuel switch project is a key step towards Hydro's climate strategy and aligns with its global commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. As per the reports, Hydro Alunorte's alumina refinery has begun using natural gas in its production process, replacing fuel oil.

Alunorte's significant achievement

With this, Alunorte has become the first refinery in northern Brazil to produce alumina using natural gas. The R$1.3 billion investment to transition from fuel oil to natural gas at Hydro Alunorte's alumina refinery is set to reduce the refinery's carbon emissions by 30 per cent.

"Hydro will become the largest single consumer of natural gas in Brazil and the project reinforces our commitment to changing the aluminium game and to produce alumina and aluminium with an increasingly lower carbon footprint," said John Thuestad, Executive Vice President for Hydro's Bauxite & Alumina business area.

About the project

Once fully implemented, six steam generation boilers and all of the refinery's calciners will be powered by natural gas. In July, the refinery ceased using heavy fuel oil for steam production, marking a significant step forward in its decarbonisation efforts.

Alunorte is projected to consume 29.5 Tbtu of natural gas annually. This shift in Alunorte's energy matrix will lower the refinery's annual CO2 emissions by 700,000 tonnes upon completing the transition from fuel oil to natural gas.

On August 14, the Governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho, along with state and municipal authorities from Barcarena, visited Alunorte's natural gas distribution station. The visit was part of the official program marking the launch of the natural gas distribution system by Pará Gas Company.

A significant transition

The natural gas used in Alunorte's production process is supplied through a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) and import terminal operated by New Fortress Energy. The transition from fuel oil to natural gas at Alunorte has been instrumental in introducing natural gas to Pará and supporting other regional projects.

During the preparation phase for receiving natural gas at the refinery, the project created approximately 800 jobs at its peak. By initiating alumina production with natural gas as the energy source, Alunorte is upholding its commitment to the Pará State Government, which is in line with an agreement for exemption from the Tax on the Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS).

"We have implemented the most modern technologies available for using natural gas in our alumina production. We are proud of our contribution to fulfilling Hydro's decarbonisation commitment," added Thuestad.