THE future of the Portland Aluminium smelter is safely in managing part-owner Alcoa’s hands for the foreseeable future, as its departing plant manager says its long-term future would be assured by renewable energy developments planned for the region.

Former plant manager Ron Jorgensen told the Observer that Alcoa had called off negotiations with potential suitor, Dutch company Aloft, some weeks ago as it found the deal was not a good fit for the company.