Century Aluminum Signs Power Agreement Extension with Santee Cooper Through 2031

Core Points - Century Aluminum Company has extended its power agreement with Santee Cooper to ensure a stable power supply for its Mt. Holly smelter until 2031, facilitating the restart of idle capacity [1][2] - The company plans to invest $50 million to restart idle capacity, which will increase production by 50,000 metric tons and boost overall U.S. aluminum output by 10 percent [3] - The expansion is expected to create over 100 new jobs and allow the plant to operate at full capacity by early summer 2026, a level not seen since 2015 [3] Company Plans and Economic Impact - The Mt. Holly smelter, when fully operational, is projected to contribute approximately $900 million annually to South Carolina's economy, with new jobs offering an average wage of $125,000 [5] - The restart initiative is supported by recent increases in Section 232 tariffs, reflecting the administration's backing for the domestic aluminum industry [4] - Century Aluminum attributes its success to collaboration with Santee Cooper, with final restart details pending confirmation of economic incentives from Berkeley County and the state of South Carolina [6][8]