The gradual resumption of production at the Slovalco aluminum plant in Žiar nad Hronom is good news for both Slovakia and Europe, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) said at a press conference following the ceremonial restart of the plant's furnaces. He noted that at full capacity, the facility will account for 17% of Europe's total primary aluminum production.
The government, together with the Slovak and Norwegian owners of the plant, agreed on a course of action leading to the resumption of production. The model also received support within the European Union.
The aluminum smelter in Žiar nad Hronom originally operated more than 220 electrolytic cells. Primary aluminum production was curtailed in the summer of 2022, and the final cells were shut down in early 2023. At the time, Slovalco justified the decision by citing high energy prices and insufficient state compensation for energy-intensive industries.
In February this year, the Slovak government and Slovalco signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at creating the conditions for restarting aluminum production at the Žiar plant. In July, government officials and Slovalco representatives signed two agreements under which the state committed to providing compensation for emissions, relief on nuclear fund levies, and electricity supplies for the next ten years in exchange for the resumption of production and the preservation of jobs at the smelter.
Source: TASR
