Hydro and NKT sign offtake agreement for aluminium wire rod as Europe moves to upgrade power grid infrastructure

This is the first new contract since Hydro announced a NOK 1.65 billion investment in a new wire rod casthouse in Karmøy, Norway to meet the growing demand from Europe’s energy sector. 

The expansion will allow Hydro to secure a stable supply of low-carbon aluminium wire rod to NKT from 2026 through 2033, with a total committed volume estimated at 274,000 tonnes with an option for additional volumes. The total quantity of aluminium covered by the agreement, would be able to make medium-voltage cables equivalent to nine times around the world or all the way to the moon, which is approximately 363,000 kilometers away. 

The contract has an estimated value of approximately EUR 1 billion, depending on the quantity and future metal prices. NKT and Hydro have been partners for more than 40 years and have an existing contract for 2025. 

The agreement secures NKT access to Hydro’s REDUXA 4.0 primary aluminium, produced in Norway with renewable energy. It has a documented carbon footprint of 4 kg CO2e per kilo aluminium or less, about a quarter of the world industry average.  

Hydro aims to reduce the footprint further with NKT having first rights to primary aluminium wire rod with a carbon footprint well below 4 kg CO2e per kilo aluminium.

Building a more sustainable energy infrastructure

Upgrading Europe’s outdated grid infrastructure is a key part of the European Commission’s plan to develop a resilient, interconnected and secure energy system fit for the future. 

“It is with a sense of urgency that Europe is now mobilizing to reduce the dependency on fossil fuel imports, introduce more homegrown, renewable power, and ensure security of supply of critical raw materials. Together with NKT, we are building a supply chain to provide responsibly sourced aluminium for the infrastructure makeover that Europe needs to bring down energy prices, accelerate the energy transition and boost European competitiveness,” says Eivind Kallevik, President and CEO of Hydro. 
Aluminium has been defined by the EU as a critical material with Norway being a key provider, covering 40 percent of primary aluminium production in Europe.  

“Given the current geopolitical landscape, securing reliable, local supply chains is increasingly important. This long-term supply agreement with Hydro not only guarantees a stable supply of low-carbon aluminium, but it also reinforces our position as a sustainability leader in the power cable industry. It supports our strategy to continuously improve the carbon intensity of our cables, thereby supporting both our own short and long-term targets and our customers’ decarbonization ambitions,” says Claes Westerlind, President and CEO of NKT.

Rethinking the aluminium value chain through partnerships 

Hydro and NKT entered a strategic partnership in March 2024 to develop low-carbon solutions for Europe’s energy sector. Within the framework of a joint decarbonization roadmap, the two companies are committed in their research and development efforts to explore aluminium wire rod applications with the lowest possible carbon footprint. 

“Europe's energy transition is about one thing, more renewable power production, and the power produced must be transported over long distances. We are excited to work together with NKT to support the development of Europe’s future energy grid with low-carbon materials, ensuring that Europe’s renewable energy is transported to market by means of low-carbon aluminium transmission cables,” says Kallevik.

Hydro has joined forces with select customers in recent years to drive sustainability and transparency in the aluminium value chain. Hydro views partnerships that extend beyond commercial transactions as a means to pioneer new business models and speed up innovation and the development of low-carbon solutions.