It is reported that Statkraft and Eramet Norway have signed a letter of intent regarding energy recovery from excess gas at the smelting plant in Sauda in Norway. The project will provide more than 100GWh of new electricity per year.

The project is expected to contribute to safeguarding the energy from the Sauda smelting plant by burning the carbon monoxide gas in a steam-producing boiler. The steam will in turn run a turbine that produces more than 100GWh of electricity per year, equivalent to the annual consumption of 5,000 households.

Investments in the project will be approximately NOK 250 million and the project will receive support from Enova to the tune of approximately NOK 35 million. The installation is expected to be ready for use by the end of 2010.

Mr Siri Hatlen executive VP of Statkraft said that "The letter of intent between Statkraft and Eramet Norway gives us the opportunity to together with our industry partner implement environmentally friendly and energy saving measures which will result in more efficient energy consumption."