Groundbreaking for the hydro project could happen in 2010, the smelter in 2012. The hydro project will have to be in operation by 2014 to supply power to the smelter, which could start production that year.
Sites locations have yet to be chosen, said Alcoa. The MoU has paved the way for studies to begin on site selection, environmental studies, and engineering assessments.
The potential capacity of the hydro plant was not given, but the smelter is to have an output of 340,000 tonne/year.
