The Karmøy technology pilot is a full-scale testing facility and Hydro's goal with the pilot project is to industrialize the world's most climate- and energy efficient technology for aluminium electrolysis. The ambition is to reduce energy consumption by around 15 percent per kilogram of aluminium produced in relation to the international average, and with the lowest CO2 emissions in the world.

In total, NOK 4.3 billion is invested in the project – including NOK 1.6 billion from ENOVA, a Norwegian government enterprise responsible for promotion of environmentally friendly production and consumption of energy.

From words to action

It is expected that implementing technological spin-off effects from the pilot in Hydro’s existing production lines will improve productivity in current primary production. This will contribute to Hydro's ambition to further increase annual primary aluminium capacity by 200,000 tonnes by 2025 – and to reach the company’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2020.

"We go from words to action by making the world's most climate- and energy-efficient aluminium production a reality. This is the result of hard work in our operations organization and in our research and technology development groups. I look forward to marking this milestone on August 24 with a major celebration in Karmøy," says Hydro President & CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg.

Celebrating the past and the future

The inauguration and 50-year anniversary will be celebrated with a free concert in Kopervik, close to Hydro’s Karmøy plant. The local community and other guests are invited. The Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg will attend and artists will entertain.