BoAZ production line launched

(Posted on 02/04/19)

RUSAL, one of the leading global aluminium producers, and PJSC RusHydro, one of Russia's largest generating companies, has commissioned the first potline at the Boguchansky aluminium smelter (BoAZ), part of the Boguchany Energy and Metals Complex (BEMO).

The Boguchany aluminium smelter is one of the largest and most modern metal production facilities in Russia. The smelter is located in the middle of Russia, in the Krasnoyarsk territory (Boguchansk district), and covers 2.3 square kilometres (231 hectares). The Boguchansky aluminum smelter first produced metal in 2015.

Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Chairman of the Russian government and Governor of the Krasnoyarsk territory Alexander Uss along with Evgenii Nikitin, current CEO of RUSAL and Nikolay Shulginov, Ð¡hairman of the Management Board and General Director of PJSC, took part in the ceremony held during the Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum.

The joint agreement which includes the BEMO project consisting of the Boguchansky aluminium smelter and Boguchanskaya HPP, was signed by RUSAL and RusHydro 13 years ago at the Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum. The BEMO project was completed at a record pace: in 2012 the first hydroelectric units went into operation and in 2015, the station reached the design capacity of 2997 MW, the design capacity of the first potline of BoAZ – 298 thousand tons of aluminium per year.

BEMO is a unique project in terms of its characteristics and scale. It is the largest energy and metals investment project in the world and is the first example of a large scale public-private partnership in in the country. Its implementation made it possible to create a modern powerful energy base necessary for the development of industry in the lower Angara area. About 10 thousand jobs have been created at BEMO.

"The launch of the first production line of the Boguchansky aluminium smelter is a great example of the successful implementation of a cooperative large scale Russian project. Along with the Khakass aluminium smelter built by RUSAL and the Taishet plant which is now under construction, the introduction of the new BoAZ capacities operating on the most modern technologies will not only ensure the production of competitive products, but will also make a great contribution to the socio-economic development of both Siberia and the country," said RUSAL’s CEO Evgenii Nikitin.

"Boguchanskaya HPP - fifth-largest hydroelectric power station in Russia with a capacity of 2997 MW is one of the most modern and efficient power plants, not only in Russia but in the world. BEMO is a unique and significant project for modern Russia, which showcases the joint venture of a large hydropower station and a large consumer. Boguchanskaya hydropower station has already developed more than 70 billion kWh. of electricity, which exceeds the annual energy consumption of the entire Krasnoyarsk territory", added Nikolai Shulginov, Ð¡hairman of the Management Board and the General Director of RusHydro Nikolai Shulginov.

USD 1.6 billion has been invested in the first stage of the smelter with an annual capacity of 298 thou tonnes. The project is being financed by both UC RUSAL and RusHydro’s own funds and as part of a financing project by Vneshekonombank (VEB).