Metlen Energy & Metals operates, among other activities, a vertically integrated bauxite, alumina and aluminium production facility in the province of Boeotia in central Greece. In January, the listed family business produced its first five kilograms of gallium there, a by-product of bauxite. Metlen plans to invest a total of €295.5 million at the Agios Nikolaos site in the first gallium production line in the European Union. The goal is to help make Europe independent of Chinese imports of this strategically important metal from 2028. In addition, the group, which employs more than 9,000 people worldwide, is investing heavily in renewables. Globally, Metlen has completed more than 6 GW of large-scale solar and battery energy storage projects.
Italy – Energy Release 2.0 secures 22.5 TWh for energy-intensive industry
“Italy is a core market for us,” said Annalisa Miryam-Liotine, head of project development Italy and Eastern Europe, in an interview with pv Europe. The current pipeline of PV and battery projects totals 3 GW. Metlen acts both as EPC contractor and developer as well as an independent power producer (IPP), with an increasing focus on providing flexibility through battery storage. “We are among the few private BESS operators in Italy, have a strong regional presence and are pursuing an IPP strategy,” emphasised Annalisa Miryam-Liotine.
Upcoming investor newsletter: New investment models drive projects in Italy
The company is also breaking new ground. In January, Metlen signed one of the first tolling agreements in Italy for a 25 MW / 75 MWh battery plant with Dolomiti Energia. In February, Metlen secured access to the Energy Release 2.0 scheme for the steel plant of Acciaieria Arvedi, with roughly 2.4 TWh of electricity to be delivered from a 170 MW solar portfolio. The scheme enables large industrial consumers to secure renewable electricity at a fixed price of €65 / MWh in the short term, in exchange for a binding commitment to develop new renewable capacity over time, including through partnerships with producers.
Coinciding with the KEY event, Metlen signed a joint venture with PPC, Greece’s largest electricity provider, to develop 1,500 MW / 3,000 MWh of energy storage projects in Italy, Romania and Bulgaria. Of this capacity, 1,000 MW are to be realised over the next 12 months. The two-hour, liquid-cooled battery systems with LFP technology will support the operation of solar and wind parks. (hcn)
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