| Work Detail |
UK battery manufacturer Britishvolt has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Wales to build a battery manufacturing plant.
The company plans to build a commercially-viable 30GWh battery factory along with a 200MW solar plant. The factory would produce lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, in cylindrical and pouch forms.
The MoU covers collaboration on the construction of the plant if the project receives funding from national government.
Construction would take place at a former air force base in the Vale of Glamorgan in south Wales. Britishvolt says it chose the site for its transport links, local workforce, and proximity to potential customers. This would begin in 2021.
If built, the factory would be the first full-cycle battery “gigaplant” in the UK. If successfully scaled up, the company estimates its investment could reach $1.5bn (£1.2bn) of investment and create 3,500 jobs.
Britishvolt founder explains the battery plant investment
Britishvolt CEO and founder Orral Nadjari said: “The company will encourage other businesses to invest in the region with the aim of creating a ‘hub’ of battery electrification – building out our very own infrastructure and supply chain ecosystem, which will create thousands more jobs.
“The construction of the solar farm will not only ensure our gigaplant has a near carbon-neutral electricity input – complementing our goal of becoming one of the greenest battery producers worldwide – but also provide cleaner energy to the local area. |
