Worldwide, out of the 27% of aluminum producers provided with their
own energy, 55% use water resources, 30% use coal and 15% use gas.
In Brazil , 100% of the electrical power used in primary aluminum
production arises from hydro-electrical power plants, a source of
power considered as clean and renewable.
In the country, around 22%
of the electrical power used in primary aluminum production is supplied
by hydro-electrical plants maintained by the companies in the aluminum
industry, supplying, in some cases, over 50% of their own needs.
Such efforts result in the efficient use of electrical power, giving
the industry a specific average consumption in the order of 15.1 MWh/t,
below the worldwide average of 15.3 MWh/t.
The
aluminum industry has invested in the self-generation of electrical
power to maintain its plants competitive. Investments in the order
of US$ 1.8 billion are being destined to the participation in the
construction of 14 plants throughout the country.
When all of them are ready,
there will be 5,110 MW of additional installed capacity - 3,010 MW for the
industry only -, and the self-generation in the
production of primary aluminum will reach over 50% of the total
consumed. With the self generation of electrical power, the aluminum
industry contributes for society as a whole, since it releases the
same amount of electrical power to be consumed by other sectors. In addition,
the installation of these projects often times attracts opportunities for
development, economic alternatives and more effective actions on the part
of public authorities, by means of investments in social and income generation
programs.
Environmental impacts caused by the construction of a hydro-electrical
plant - need to relocate the region's population, fauna and flora - can be
offset or minimized by the region's development, especially the utilization
of water resources for navigation, irrigation and water supply.
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Investimentos
da Indústria de Alumínio
em Autogeração de Energia Elétrica |
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Related areas
The
Industry |
