Hydro began the work to equip its Swedish extrusion factories in Vetlanda, Sjunnen, and Finspång with solar panels and battery storage. This work is part of the Greener Sweden project initiated in 2022.
“It is amazing to see that Greener Sweden is moving from idea to action,” said Jonas Bjuhr, managing director at Hydro Extrusions Sweden. “Passively watching as global climate change becomes increasingly apparent has never been an option for Hydro. We want to lead the way in tackling climate change and continue to manufacture aluminum profiles that make a positive difference for our customers and employees. That is the core of Greener Sweden.”
Greener Sweden is an ambitious energy project divided into several phases. In the long run, the aim is to switch to 100% locally produced, renewable energy in Vetlanda, Sjunnen, and Finspång. The end goal is to reduce CO2 emissions from the factories to zero, contributing to more viable, local communities around our production units. The plan is to reduce total electricity consumption and at the same time produce more renewable energy in-house.
The first phase, executed by Hydro’s renewable energy company Hydro Rein, includes roof mounted and ground mounted solar panels and battery storage systems. This will supplement Hydro’s existing local hydropower plant in Sjunnen. The technical solution involves 2.2 MWp of roof mounted solar cells, approximately 1.8 MWp of ground mounted solar cells, and two battery storage solutions with a total capacity of 4.5 MW. The aim is to complete the rooftop solar panels and battery storage during the fourth quarter of 2023, and the ground mounted solar panels in 2024.
The next phase of the project will take place after 2025, and may include wind power, hydrogen production, and fuel switching to hydrogen produced from renewable energy. Hydro is also interested in onshore wind power and aims to identify a suitable location for its own wind farm, ensuring sufficient renewable electricity for Hydro’s factories in Sweden.
“Hydro Extrusion Sweden is leading the way with clear action,” said Marianne Wergeland Jenssen, head of Energy Solutions, Hydro Rein. “It means a lot that they manage to set long-term goals while also taking advantage of existing potential in energy efficiency and locally produced renewable energy. It does not only have an effect on the CO2 footprint of the factories, but shows the way for the entire industry. We need a mix of all energy solutions in order to reach our climate goals.”
Hydro Extrusions is a world leading aluminum extrusion business counting around 100 production sites in 40 countries and employing 21,000 people. Over the past year, the company has initiated a number of solar power projects at its extrusion operations around the world.