BiH’s Nova Alumina to install energy facility fueled by waste to replace coal

Aluminum and cement industry supplier Nova Alumina plans to build an energy facility that would use alternative fuels, primarily municipal waste, to replace coal. It is based in the Republic of Srpska, one of the two political entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Switching from coal to more sustainable fuels will reduce the negative impact on the environment and ensure more stable production and long-term job security, according to Zvornik-based aluminum and cement industry supplier Nova Alumina.

The company said it currently uses a coal-fired energy facility, adding it is neither environmentally nor economically sustainable in the long term. Of note, in August last year, it announced it would build solar power plants for its factories.

Nova Alumina said it is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s biggest exporters and that it sells its goods in the European Union, where the requirements for emissions and sustainable manufacturing are exceptionally high.

Project design is almost finished, and the preparation of the project documentation is starting

To remain competitive in EU countries and continue its operations, it is necessary for the energy source to align with environmental protection standards, according to the company’s management.

Nova Alumina’s CEO Zoran Stevanović valued the investment in the new facility at EUR 150 million. The project will be implemented in partnership with a Chinese company that built coal-fired power plant Stanari near Doboj, he revealed

The project could reduce the need for landfills and encourage waste separation

A group of engineers from the company and its majority owner recently visited a similar energy facility in China. They say the emissions of harmful gases are below EU ceilings so that the decision was made to start preparing project documentation while that the project design is almost finished.

The investment could reduce the need for landfills and taking up large areas, because the waste will be used as an energy resource instead of being dumped on land, according to the company.

It will also contribute to raising awareness of waste management by encouraging waste separation in households.

The company requires the support of the wider community

Stevanović expressed the expectation that the wider community would support the project: the Government of the Republic of Srpska, citizens and utility companies in the entity. The company is open to signing contracts with waste utilities in the Republic of Srpska and BiH.

Nova Alumina intends to apply a technology aligned with the latest EU environmental protection standards, and emissions data will always be publicly available to all citizens and authorities, Stevanović stressed.

The application of modern technologies will significantly reduce CO2 emissions, which could lower or eliminate the obligation to purchase CO2 certificates, he added.

A 3 MW solar power plant is in trial operation

The company’s plans to install photovoltaic plants with a capacity of 20 MW, Stevanović asserted. One with an installed capacity of 3 MW is already on the roofs and in trial operation. Another 3 MW is expected to come online by June.

Preparations are underway for ground-mounted solar panels. Nova Alumina consumes more than 170 GWh annually. Nova Alumina, Boksit from Milić, and H&P from Zvornik are a business group with 1,500 employees overall.