New investment in Årdal's future

(June 27, 2007) Hydro has decided to invest in two new rectifiers for the two remaining aluminium production lines at the Årdal plant, paving the way for an increase in production.

Both production lines Å1 from 1971 and Å2 from 1977 will be upgraded with a price tag of around NOK 200 million.

"This is an important investment and confirmation of the continued long-term commitment to developing the Årdal aluminium plant," says Wenche Agerup, Hydro's plant manager in Årdal.

The new rectifiers will improve the regularity of the supply of electricity and therefore lead to a more stable production. Investing in large capacity rectifiers means that electric power can be increased, which will in turn lead to an increase in aluminium production without having to invest in new electrolysis cells.

In recent years Hydro has invested over NOK 4 billion in Årdal. The most important investments are the upgrading of a new anode furnace with a gas purifying system costing NOK 550 million and the building of a new technology center in Årdal for NOK 200 million.