Energy
| Sector | Energy |
| Sub-sector | Onshore wind |
| Location | Brazil |
The Norwegian aluminium company has a target to reduce carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 20301 and has been building out its global renewable energy business.
Macquarie initially partnered with Hydro to develop and structure power purchase agreements (PPAs) that have helped the heavy industry player reduce its carbon footprint. This partnership has enabled the development of 1.3 GW of renewable energy capacity.2
In 2024, MAM finalised its investment in a 49.9 per cent stake in Hydro’s renewables business, Hydro Rein.3 Hydro was seeking a source of long-term renewable energy, at a stable price in US dollars, to supply its industrial facilities in Brazil - Alunorte and Paragominas - which mine and refine alumina for global export.
With Brazil’s abundance of renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, strong decarbonisation commitments and a maturing regulatory environment, the country is becoming an increasingly attractive market for renewable energy development.4
The Ventos de São Zacarias project combines MAM’s renewables development and financing expertise with Hydro Rein’s experience in the Brazilian energy market.
Alongside co-development, MAM structured long-term inflation-linked US dollar PPAs between the Alunorte and Paragominas facilities and the project.
One of the PPAs enables Alunorte to switch its boilers from coal-fired to electric. This includes the installation of three electrical boilers for steam generation, which together have the potential to reduce emissions at Alunorte by 400,000 tonnes by 2025.5 Additionally, the nature of the US dollar and inflation-linked PPA reduces exposure to both Brazilian currency and inflation risks, which have historically been a key obstacle to international investment in the country.
This helped Ventos de São Zacarias become the first US dollar-backed project in the country to raise financing without the aid of a development bank.6 Instead, a consortium of seven private sector banks – JPMorgan, HSBC, Citibank, BNP Paribas, SocGen, Natixis and Santander – provided $US290 million of debt.
To support the efficiency of the grid capacity secured by Ventos de São Zacarias, MAM and Hydro Rein, also have the option to develop up to 130 MW of solar power production in phase two.
Outcome
Working together on this project, MAM and Hydro Rein are supporting decarbonisation efforts in Brazil, which is one of the world's largest consumers of energy,7 and helping provide low-carbon power to aluminium production. VSZ is one of Hydro Rein’s largest renewable energy projects to date, featuring 80 turbines across 10 wind farms, located in one of the largest wind farm clusters in South America.8
75 per cent of the clean energy generated by the project will be supplied to Hydro’s bauxite mine, Paragominas, and its alumina refinery, Alunorte. The remaining energy will be sold on the open market, helping to reduce the emissions intensity of the local power grid.
During construction, the project has supported more than 800 jobs, facilitated by the local contractor, Elecnor Brasil.9 The project’s innovative financing structure has provided a template to help drive subsequent investment into Brazil’s burgeoning renewable energy industry.
of renewables developed between Hydro and Macquarie10
wind project developed in the northeast of Brazil
supported in the early construction of Ventos de São Zacarias11
option to develop solar project in phase two of the Ventos de São Zacarias project
Macquarie's global wind and infrastructure experience, together with Hydro Rein's expertise in Brazil's energy market, form a strong partnership that supports Brazil's wind energy goals."
Will Demas
Executive Director, MAM Green Investments
Macquarie Asset Management
