Energy costs impact aluminium production

摘要

The long term trend to higher energy costs is forcing aluminium producers to take a close look at where they site future plants. Aluminium smelters, because of their high energy requirements, have traditionally located near low cost hydro-electric power generation and employ imported bauxite or the second stage semi-processed alumina as feedstock. Around 60% f the world's aluminium production is currently based on this source of energy, with the largest producers of aluminum, Russia, China, the US and Canada, having or had access to abundant hydro-electric power. More than 40 other countries produce aluminum - Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Tajikistan and New Zealand are small but mountainous, and have numerous rivers to provide hydro-electric power.