Greenko to develop 400 MW of wind, solar for Hindalco’s aluminum smelter

Renewables major Greenko will develop 375 MW to 400 MW of solar and wind capacity to power Hindalco’s aluminum smeltering operations in Odisha. It will back the renewables generation with hydro pump storage capacity in Andhra Pradesh to ensure 100 MW of round-the-clock supply to Hindalco.

August 12, 2022 Uma Gupta

Aluminium production at a Hindalco plant

Image: Hindalco

Greenko will develop 375 MW to 400 MW of “captive” solar and wind power capacity for Aditya Birla Group’s metals unit, Hindalco Industries. The two companies recently signed a commercial arrangement to set up the project for 100 MW of round-the-clock power supply to Hindalco’s Odisha smelter.

Greenko said it will ensure round-the-clock power supplies by backing solar and wind power generation with hydro pump storage.

“The [renewable energy] project will be set up as a captive generation facility under a 25-year offtake arrangement. It will supply power to Hindalco’s Aditya Aluminium smelter in Odisha, enabling reduction of CO2 emissions by 680,000 tons annually,” stated Hindalco. “Further discussions between the parties to execute a power purchase agreement along with the other supplementary agreements are expected to be completed soon.”

Aluminum smelting requires reliable and continuous power. The project will be one of the world’s first for the aluminum sector, with very high (+85%) reliability from solar and wind power, without dependence on grid electricity. Hindalco will also be the first aluminum company in India to use such round-the-clock, carbon-free power for smelting.

Greenko will design, construct, partly own, and operate the solar and wind facilities. It will provide appropriate storage capacity from its hydro pump storage project in Pinnapuram, Andhra Pradesh, to ensure continuous power supply.

Over the past few years, Hindalco has invested in more than 100 MW of solar and wind power. The latest renewables project adds 100 MW of captive, continuous power. Hindalco said it might also enhance another 350 MW of round-the-clock, carbon-free energy in the future.

“Clean energy sources backed with competitive and proven storage technologies like hydro pump storage project offers a competitive, reliable and sustainable alternative to consumers to support their decarbonization journey,” said Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty, CEO and managing director of Greenko. “For instance, in this case, the RE project, along with Greenko’s pump storage project, will ensure firm and predictable supply even at individual time block level without any banking support from the grid, unprecedented for [renewable energy] projects globally, thereby committing very high reliability to Hindalco.”

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