Hydro starts battery and solar rooftop operations at Offenburg aluminium plant in Germany
Aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro takes another step towards decarbonizing its aluminium plants by beginning local, onsite solar energy production and energy efficiency measures in Germany. The first systems in Offenburg have been completed and recently began interim operations.
In addition to Offenburg, Hydro's two plants in Rackwitz and Uphusen, Germany are installing solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftops and battery storage, aimed at switching to locally produced energy.
"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," says Jacques Podszun, Vice President of the Germany, Austria and Switzerland region in Hydro Extrusions.
The plants will install rooftop solar panels with a combined annual production of 854 MWh, in addition to 1,500 kW battery packs, which can help smooth the consumption curve during high load hours and save cost.
The project started in 2023, and with the first solar PV and battery storage system in operation, the concept has proven successful. The remaining systems will be completed and put into operation by early 2025. The project is led and delivered by Hydro Rein, a joint venture between Hydro and Macquarie, specializing 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," says Marianne Wergeland Jenssen, Head of Energy Solutions in Hydro Rein.
About Hydro Rein
Hydro Rein is a leading provider of renewable energy solutions to industrials, co-owned by the renewable energy and aluminium company Hydro and infrastructure investor Macquarie Asset Management. The company has a diversified portfolio of more than 60 wind, solar and energy efficiency projects under development in core markets in the Nordics and Brazil. After three years of growth in renewable energy, Hydro Rein has a gross capacity of 8.4 GW in its portfolio and long-term contracts signed for a production of 5.3 TWh per year.
About Hydro Extrusions
Hydro Extrusions is a world leading aluminium extrusion business counting around 70 production sites in 22 countries and employing 21,000 people. Through its unique combination of local expertise, global network, and unmatched R&D capabilities, Hydro Extrusions can offer everything from standard profiles to advanced development and manufacturing for most industries.