Business Issue: Stakeholder Engagement
Alcan accredited to Renewables Obligation plan in U.K.

The U.K. has placed renewable energy at the forefront of its low carbon program, setting targets for 10% of the nation's energy needs to be met by renewables by 2010, increasing to 20% by 2020.

The government's renewable energy strategy, in the form of the Renewables Obligation, came into effect in April 2002. The Obligation requires licensed electricity suppliers to buy an increasing percentage of their supply from eligible renewable resources. They do this by buying Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) from accredited generators of renewable power and presenting them to the U.K.'s energy regulator as proof of having met their obligation.

Alcan's heavy investment ($14.7 million) in new hydropower turbines and generators at Kinlochleven means that its renewable energy is now available to the public electricity supply network in Scotland.

Recognition of this commitment to renewable energy came in April 2002, when Alcan was accredited under the terms of the Renewables Obligation and became eligible to supply ROCs to electricity suppliers.

At the end of 2002, 20% of the 500+ megawatts of power Alcan generates in the U.K. was from renewable sources. Having been accredited under the Renewables Obligation, Alcan is now pursuing the development of further renewable power from its significant Scottish Highland Estates and its large landholding in Northumberland, England. In doing this, Alcan will work closely with all stakeholders in contributing to sustainability in the wider sense.