Decarbonising Electricity Infrastructure: Hydro & NKT Partner on Low-Carbon Aluminium Power Cables
Meta Description: Hydro and Nordic power cable supplier NKT form a strategic partnership to build a low-carbon aluminium power cable value chain, supporting the decarbonisation of Europe’s renewable energy grid infrastructure.
Hydro Aluminium and Nordic power cable supplier NKT have entered a strategic partnership to develop a low-carbon aluminium power cable value chain, supporting the expansion and decarbonisation of Europe’s renewable energy grid.
Strategic R&D Collaboration
Under the agreement, the two companies will collaborate on research, development and product innovation to explore aluminium wire rod applications that deliver lower carbon emissions while maintaining product quality. Development projects will leverage both primary aluminium and recycled aluminium as feedstock.
Aluminium’s Critical Role in Renewable Grid Upgrade
Despite rapid growth in renewable energy capacity, outdated and undersized electricity grids remain a major bottleneck for the global green transition. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that over 80 million kilometres of electricity grids will need to be built or renewed worldwide by 2040.
Aluminium is an optimal material for this large-scale grid expansion. Its high conductivity, flexibility and low weight, combined with significant cost advantages over other metals commonly used in power cables, make it well suited to renewable energy grid deployment.
“Power cables play a vital role in transmitting and connecting renewable energy, and the power infrastructure segment has significant untapped potential for increased aluminium use,” said Eivind Kallevik, Executive Vice President for Hydro Aluminium Metal. “Our joint roadmap with NKT will pave the way for wider aluminium adoption and reduce embedded carbon across Europe’s power grid.”
Product Rollout Plan
Building on successful pilot projects delivered in 2023, NKT will integrate Hydro’s low-carbon aluminium product, Hydro REDUXA 4.0, into its medium-voltage cable solutions in 2024, with plans to extend the material to selected high-voltage cables at a later stage. These cables play an increasingly critical role in connecting and transmitting renewable power across European grids.
