Vale (VALE) has been denied its request to boost power consumption to 200 megawatts at its northern Onca Puma nickel complex in Para, Brazil, by the country's power grid operator ONS, Reuters reported Friday.

After Vale asked for the power consumption increase in late 2023, ONS said that the company failed to sign a contract within the stipulated deadline, Reuters said.

Vale then filed a new request in February, but was denied because the additional power had already been allocated to another project, the reported cited ONS as saying.

The company told Reuters it is assessing "technical alternatives" to have its request push through, adding that it is maintaining its outlook to start operating a second furnace at Onca Puma in H2.

Vale and ONS did not immediately reply to requests for comment from MT Newswires.

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