Nucor Joins UN Carbon-Free Energy Alliance

Nucor Corp. has become the first major industrial company to join the United Nations 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Global Compact.

Nucor The Compact’s aim is to accelerate the decarbonization of the global electricity systems, reducing climate change, and providing access to clean and economical electricity, effectively advancing the world’s transition to a zero-carbon electrical grid.

Nucor is joined in adhering to the Compact’s principles by other energy buyers, energy suppliers, governments, system operators, solutions providers, investors, and other organizations.

Nucor plans to work with its electricity suppliers to ensure 24/7 clean energy at its steel mills.

“We applaud the United Nations, Sustainable Energy for All, Google, and the other signatories for their leadership on this issue,” commented Nucor’s chairman, president, and CEO Leon Topalian. “A sustainability movement is expanding around the world like we have never seen before, and as one of the largest recyclers on the planet, Nucor is in a position of strength to set the bar for the rest of the world.”

“In order for us to achieve a carbon-free energy future while also meeting the growing demand for energy, it is critical that we embrace all forms of clean, zero-carbon energy sources, from wind, solar and hydro, to nuclear power,” Topalian added.

Earlier this year, Nucor invested into NuScale Power LLC, a developer of small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear plants. In the past two years, the Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker has entered into three power purchase agreements supporting the development of solar and wind energy projects.

By Laura Miller, Laura@SteelMarketUpdate.com

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has held various editorial positions with steel industry publications, associations, and mills since 2007. She joined the SMU team in 2022. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.