Hydro’s alumina refinery Alunorte in the state of Pará, Brazil invested BRL1.3 billion to avoid around 700 000 tpy of carbon emissions.
One year after implementing natural gas across six steam generation units and seven calciners, and fully replacing the fuel oil, which was previously used at the plant, the annual target is achieved.
Hydro’s global goal is to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. Replacing fuel oil with natural gas at Alunorte is a significant step in the decarbonisation journey. Natural gas emits up to 50% fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants compared to sources like oil and coal, contributing to improved air quality and climate change mitigation.
The natural gas used in the process is delivered to Alunorte via a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) and import terminal operated by New Fortress Energy. The project replacing fuel oil with natural gas at Alunorte has been an enabler bringing natural gas to Pará and to other projects in the region.
“Hydro has committed to reducing its emissions and has become a global benchmark. Decarbonisation is a priority and already a reality at Hydro. To decarbonise an operation like Alunorte, financial and technological investment is required, but above all, it takes commitment to lead the transformation of operations in pursuit of net-zero,” said John Thuestad, Executive Vice President for Hydro's Bauxite & Alumina business area.
Alunorte is already among the world’s most energy efficient refineries, ranking in the top 10% for low-carbon emissions. In addition to natural gas, the refinery introduced three electric boilers that replaced coal, one in 2022 and two in 2025. The three electric boilers are reducing emissions by up to 550 000 tpy of CO2.
To power these units, the refinery invests in renewable energy parks, the Mendubim solar complex in Rio Grande do Norte and the Ventos de São Zacarias wind complex on the border of Pernambuco and Piauí. Combined, these two units can produce around 1000 MW of renewable energy, over 50% of which will be consumed by Alunorte.
In total, the introduction of natural gas, electric boilers and other initiatives of energy efficiency at Alunorte equals a total annual reduction of 1.4 million t of carbon emissions, compared to a 2017 baseline.