Maaden, GlassPoint sign MoU to develop world's largest solar process steam plant

Signing ceremony

Saudi Arabian Mining Co. (Maaden) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GlassPoint to develop the world's largest solar process heat plant at the former’s Alumina refinery.

When complete, the solar steam facility will help Maaden achieve sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions by over 600,000 tons annually.

This represents more than 50% reduction of carbon footprint at Maaden’s Alumina refinery and 4% of the company’s overall carbon footprint.

Maaden CEO Robert Wilt said, "As the third pillar of the Saudi economy, we aspire to be a role model in ESG in the Kingdom. This significant development will dramatically reduce our carbon footprint and bring us closer to our mandate of carbon neutrality by 2050.”

“As the world moves towards green aluminum, Maaden intends to help lead the way in this transition," he noted.

Rod MacGregor, CEO and founder of GlassPoint, said, "Maaden is leading the way to reduce industrial carbon emissions at scale by replacing fossil fuels with solar power to create heat. This facility when built will be the largest industrial solar steam plant in the world and the first deployed in both Saudi Arabia and in the aluminum supply chain."

"With this MoU, GlassPoint is entering a new phase of growth to help decarbonize a range of industries seeking to lower their carbon footprint," he noted.

Under this arrangement, Maaden and GlassPoint will work together to develop a more sustainable way to produce aluminum, which is a crucial metal for many global industries and the energy transition. This MoU also represents GlassPoint's reemergence as a leader in solar process heat.