Turkish aluminum producer building solar power plants to reach net zero emissions

Eti Alüminyum is expanding its solar park with two projects that are envisaged to lift the capacity to 163 MW, with the aim to produce clean and green aluminum and advance on its path to net zero emissions.

Cengiz Holding’s subsidiary Eti Alüminyum, the only integrated aluminum mining and production complex in Turkey, is building solar power units next to its plant. It already operates two photovoltaic plants with a combined capacity of 58.8 MW.

Energy-intensive industries like the production of metals and cement are turning to renewables and electrification to decarbonize and cut costs as part of the global energy transition.

The third system, Eti-3, should be finished by May, the company said. Its planned capacity is 40.3 MW. The fourth one, Eti-4, will have 64 MW and it will also be built by Cengiz Enerji, according to the update.

Power-hungry electrolysis system makes up major portion of expenses

The combined 163 MW in solar power and Eti Alüminyum’s 540 MW Oymapınar hydropower plant will cover all the consumption in the aluminum production plant, according to General Manager Mehmet Arkan. He pointed out the most important part of the process is electrolysis and that it makes up a large share of overall expenses.

Including its Oymapınar hydropower plant, power capacity at Eti Alüminyum is set to top 700 MW in total

The aluminum complex is located in Seydişehir, near the Mediterranean Sea in Konya province. Arkan said the firm wants to produce “clean and green aluminum” and ultimately reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions to zero. He added the facility’s annual output is 80,000 tons.

Renewables are investment in company’s future

Eti Alüminyum wants good air quality and it is investing in its future by deploying sustainable energy, the general manager pointed out. Emissions at the production units in Seydişehir are already 50% lower than European Union standards, Arkan claimed.

Cengiz Holding recently put the largest hybrid power plant in Turkey online. It said the facility is the biggest in Europe as well. Lower Kaleköy (Aşağı Kaleköy) consists of a hydroelectric unit of 510 MW and an 80 MW photovoltaic plant.

Of note, Aluminium Plant Podgorica in Montenegro, also known as Uniprom KAP, was recently shut down as the spike in electricity prices made its activities financially unsustainable.