Novelis Inc., a leading sustainable aluminum solutions provider and world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling that is building a facility in Baldwin County, and Southern Company, have announced plans to partner on decarbonization efforts.

Their initial focus is on Novelis' new Bay Minette plant, which aims to be carbon neutral for scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions. The recycling and rolling plant is currently under construction to help meet the growing demand for more sustainable beverage packaging and will support the automotive industry in North America, including the increase in electric vehicle production.

"At Novelis, we believe that strong partnerships like this are critical to advancing our commitment to the environment, the economy and the communities in which we operate," said Suzanne Lindsay-Walker, Novelis vice president of sustainability. "Partnering with Southern Company and Alabama Power on renewable energy solutions, such as solar power, and exploring new technologies for carbon reduction will help us as we seek to meet our goals to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2026 and be carbon neutral by 2050 or sooner."

Novelis will work with Southern Company subsidiary Alabama Power to provide the Bay Minette project with renewable energy to reduce its scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions. By participating in Alabama Power's Renewable Subscription Program, Novelis will directly support the creation of two new 80-megawatt solar power generation plants in Alabama that will cover over half of the Bay Minette facility's renewable energy needs while avoiding 192 kilotons of CO2 emissions per year.

Novelis and Southern Company will also collaborate to advance new technologies to reduce Novelis' scope 1 carbon emissions, including hydrogen fuels, carbon capture, energy storage and electrification of thermal processes. Through their corporate venture and R&D teams, Novelis and Southern Company are exploring projects for the Bay Minette facility, as well as other Novelis sites in North America.

"The future of clean energy depends on unlocking these types of partnerships," said Chris Cummiskey, executive vice president and chief commercial and customer solutions officer for Southern Company Services. "Whether it's with new or existing companies, finding ways for Novelis and Southern Company to mutually identify and test innovative technologies will be key to advancing the availability of renewable power and reaching our respective decarbonization goals."

The Novelis plant is expected to bring economic growth to the community, with the company investing approximately $3 billion and creating 1,000 direct jobs. Its imminent arrival was announced in May 2022, with construction breaking ground in October 2022. The plant is expected to be open by 2025. The plant will pay an average salary of $65,000, almost $20,000 more than the average salary in Baldwin County.