China’s aluminium smelters go green, moving to renewable-powered hubs
China’s aluminium industry is relocating production from coal-heavy northern hubs to renewables-rich southern and western zones (notably Yunnan, Sichuan, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia) as part of a government-backed cap-and-relocation drive to cut carbon. About 13 million tonnes of capacity have already shifted to new, hydro/solar/wind-powered smelters, contributing to a 2024 total output of around 43.8 million tonnes. Hongqiao plans further moves in Yunnan, aiming for about 4 million tonnes there and claiming the transition, along with investments in clean energy, could cut roughly two-thirds of its carbon emissions. The shift supports decarbonisation goals but raises concerns for northern rust-belt regions and global supply chains amid EU carbon rules and energy-security considerations.
