Norwegian aluminium producer Norsk Hydro ASA said this week that its aluminium extrusion plant in the Southwest United States will become the first American facility to be powered entirely by renewable energy.
The firm said in a press release that its Spanish Fork, Utah plant inked an eight-year deal with the city government and the Utah Municipal Power Agency to power its plant from electricity generated at one of two photovoltaic solar installations.
The plant, which is owned and operated by the subsidiary Hydro Extrusions North America, will be the first plant in the US to be fully powered by renewable sources. The plant produces billet castings of unique aluminium alloys for clients with exacting needs.
Hydro’s Spanish Fork aluminium extrusions plant joins the Point-Claire, Quebec site as the only two Hydro plants fully powered by renewable resources. The Quebec plant is fully operated using electricity derived from hydropower, and it will be joined early next year by Hydro’s Cressona, Pennsylvania plant, which will run on power generated wholly on solar energy.
Norsk Hydro, which was founded in 1905, financed by the Swedish Wallenberg family and French banks, began its life named Norsk hydro-elektrisk Kvælstofaktieselskab (literally, “Norwegian hydro-electric nitrogen limited”) by Sam Eyde. The Norwegian government owns approximately 40% of the company at the present time. Norsk Hydro is one of the largest aluminium companies in the world, with plants in Rjukan, Raufoss, Vennesla, Karmøy, Høyanger, Årdal, Sunndalsøra, and Holmestrand. Norsk also has several plants abroad.