Nordural Helguvik, a wholly owned subsidiary of Century Aluminum, has started initial site preparation for a 250,000 metric ton/year greenfield primary aluminum smelter and rolling mill to be constructed near Helguvik, Iceland. The first stage of approximately 150,000 metric tons/year is expected to be online by late 2010. The company's existing 260,000 metric ton/year Grundartangi smelter also was constructed in stages. Century's CEO, Logan W. Kruger, says the "staged approach to construction is designed to match power availability and minimize the impact on the Icelandic economy." Like the Grundartangi facility, the new Helguvik plant also will receive electricity from Iceland's two major geothermal power producers, Hitaveita Sudurnesja and Orkuveita Reykjavikur.