Britishvolt picks Northumberland site for UK’s first EV battery gigaplant

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Britishvolt has selected a site in the North East of England to build the UK’s first EV battery gigaplant.

The lithium-ion battery technology company has acquired exclusive rights to a 95-hectare site in Northumberland where the Blyth Power Station used to be.

Britishvolt intends to start construction next summer and begin production of lithium-ion batteries by the end of 2023.

By the final phase of the project in 2027 it will employ up to 3000 highly skilled people, producing more than 300,000 lithium-ion batteries for the UK automotive industry.

It will also provide up to 5000 jobs in the wider supply chain.

The gigafactory will use renewable energy, with the potential to use hydro-electric power generated in Norway and transmitted 447 miles under water via the world’s longest inter-connector from the North Sea Link project.

A total of £2.6bn is being invested in the facility, making it the largest industrial investment in the North East since Nissan’s arrival in 1984 and one of the largest-ever industrial investments in the UK.

According to Britishvolt CEO, Orral Nadjari, the UK is the right place for the site because of the strength of its automotive and energy industry, its expertise and history of industrial and academic battery research and development.

He added: “We are delighted to have secured this site in Blyth. This is a tremendous moment both for Britishvolt and UK industry. Now we can really start the hard work and begin producing lithium-ion batteries for future electrified vehicles in just three years.

“It is crucial for the UK automotive industry and for the entire economy that we are able to power the future. The sooner we start, the better.

“Blyth meets all of our exacting requirements and could be tailor made. It is on the doorstep of major transport links, easily accessible renewable energy and the opportunity for a co-located supply chain, meets our target to make our gigaplant the world’s cleanest and greenest battery facility.”

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