How Oklahoma Landed America’s First Aluminum Smelter in Half a Century. Aluminum makers EGA, Century plan to break ground later this year on facility that would more than double U.S. smelting capacity - AOS for Lemmy.World - A generic Lemmy server for everyone to use.

Where will they be getting the electricity for this? Aluminum smelting is traditionally done near hydropower or geothermal sources.

I was wondering the same thing. I'm wondering if all that exceed power from Texas wind might be put to use on this smelter.

Press release from the company says "negotiations with Public Service Company of Oklahoma and the state of Oklahoma on a competitive long-term power supply are progressing."

https://centuryaluminum.com/investors/press-releases/press-release-details/2026/Century-Aluminum-Joins-EGA-Project-to-Build-First-U-S--Smelter-in-Almost-50-Years/default.aspx

“Natural gas currently provides a significant portion of our energy mix as well and will continue to be an increasingly important fuel source for power generation.”

https://www.psoklahoma.com/clean-energy/

I foresee much higher electricity prices for homeowners in Oklahoma. At least it’s not an AI data center. 🤷‍♂️

I welcome onshoring of important industries like aluminum production. I just don’t understand why it’s being placed in Oklahoma where the electricity will not cheaply/easily meet its demand. Perhaps they are considering building a nuclear power plant? Or a hydroelectric dam nearby?