Aluminum smelter gets into renewables.

This story links in nicely a previous post about Lafarge cemet company who are doing the same thing. It seems like an obvious step for energy intensive business. Most of these companies have large unsightly buildings in industrial areas so planning permission for wind turbines is unlikely to be an issue. The European emissions trading scheme also means that they can make money from reductions in carbon emissions, this is ontop of the incentive created by high gas and oil prices.


Alcan gets in on wind power
Sep 22 2005
By The Journal


An aluminium company which employs 670 people has become the latest player in the region's drive to generate green energy from wind power.
Alcan is joining forces with Scottish Power on a project to develop a 15-turbine wind farm next to its smelter at Lynemouth in Northumberland.
The giant turbines - up to 120m in height - will be about 20m taller than the existing chimneys at the smelting and power complex.
If the scheme gets the green light from planners it will create a 30-megawatt wind farm producing power for the national grid.
It is a global first for Alcan and the company says it has devised the project to boost income, utilise its extensive landholdings at Lynemouth and support the Government's renewable energy drive.
The proposed site, about 200m west of the smelter, has been chosen following wind speed tests.
Alcan bosses hope that its proximity to an existing industrial complex will make the plan less controversial than other wind farm proposals at more isolated and rural locations.
A decision will be taken by either Wansbeck District or Castle Morpeth Borough Council as the site straddles their boundary.
Yesterday Jon Storr Lynemouth-based finance and planning director with Alcan Smelting and Power UK, said: "Energy is critical to our business and, while we use hydro-power in Scotland, wind power is new to us."