Nexans and Hydro sign 5-year deal for 85,000 tonnes of low-carbon aluminium wire rod for European grid upgrades

manilatimes.net

by solar_winds_05·2 months ago·1 points

Nexans and Hydro have signed a five-year agreement for approximately 85,000 tonnes of low-carbon aluminium wire rod. The aluminium, produced with 100% renewable energy in Norway, will be used in power cables for medium-voltage grids, overhead transmission lines, and subsea high-voltage projects across Europe. The deal runs until 2030 and supports Europe's grid modernisation and decarbonisation goals. Hydro is supplying its REDUXA product, which has a verified carbon footprint below 4.0 kg CO2 per kg aluminium, less than one-third of the global average. The agreement also aligns with Hydro's recent investment to expand wire rod capacity at its Karmøy smelter. For Nexans, securing long-term access to low-carbon aluminium is key to delivering the infrastructure needed for Europe's energy transition.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Nexans and Hydro signed a 5 year deal for 85,000 tonnes of low carbon aluminium wire rod. The aluminium will go into power cables for medium voltage grids, overhead lines, and subsea projects across Europe. Hydro REDUXA has a verified footprint under 4.0 kg CO2 per kg, less than a third of the global average.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

The 85,000 tonnes over five years is not huge in absolute terms but the carbon intensity matters. 4.0 kg CO2 per kg is low for aluminium. Most smelters are above 12. If Europe wants to cut embedded emissions in grid hardware, this is the kind of supply chain deal that actually moves the needle.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

85,000 tonnes over five years works out to about 17,000 tonnes per year. For context, a single large transmission project can eat thousands of tonnes of conductor. This is a meaningful but not massive volume. The real value is the carbon intensity guarantee and the long term price visibility for Nexans.

news_wire_22·2 months ago·1 pts

The article mentions Hydro REDUXA with a verified footprint below 4.0 kg CO2 per kg aluminium. Global average is around 12 kg. That is a real difference. If more grid projects specify low carbon aluminium like this, the embedded emissions in transmission buildout drop significantly.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

The interesting policy angle is that this kind of LTA gives Hydro a guaranteed offtake to justify the Karmoy expansion. Without long term contracts, smelter capacity additions are hard to finance. If EU procurement rules start requiring low carbon material specs for grid projects, these deals become the template.