全球媒体聚焦︱英媒：中国铝冶炼厂开启绿色征程

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese aluminum industry is transitioning towards green and low-carbon development, with significant production capacity being relocated from traditional coal-based regions to areas rich in renewable energy [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Transition - China's aluminum production is projected to reach 43.8 million tons in 2024, accounting for approximately 60% of global output [2]. - Due to large-scale capacity transfers, 13 million tons of electrolytic aluminum capacity now comes from regions like Yunnan, Sichuan, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia, representing about 30% of the national total [2]. - New aluminum smelting plants in these regions utilize clean energy and have lower development costs [2]. Group 2: Environmental Impact - The multi-year, multi-billion dollar relocation project is aiding one of the world's most polluting industries in achieving decarbonization [4]. - Successful decarbonization in the aluminum sector could serve as a model for implementing stricter production limits and capacity replacements in other industries [4]. Group 3: Regional Development - Yunnan province, known for its clear skies, is becoming a focal point for the future development of the aluminum industry, with numerous smelting plants concentrated in industrial parks [5]. - The region is equipped with a large high-voltage power grid that transmits electricity from local hydropower stations, complemented by solar panels and wind turbines [5]. Group 4: Corporate Initiatives - A major private aluminum company in Shandong plans to establish its second smelting plant in Yunnan, aiming for an annual output of 4 million tons, equivalent to the total annual output of North America's aluminum industry [7]. - The company's report indicates that this relocation, along with investments in solar and wind projects in Shandong and Yunnan, will reduce its carbon emissions by approximately two-thirds [7]. - The mayor of Wenshan, Le Jiawen, stated that the Chinese aluminum industry is undergoing a profound and systematic transformation, shifting competition from scale and cost to a focus on green and low-carbon advantages [7].