Plans have been made to set up the UK’s first EV battery manufacturing facility in the North East.
Envision AESC and Nissan announced plans to create thousands of new jobs in the region just four weeks ago by producing a new model of electric vehicle and building a new battery gigafactory.
Now Envision AESC, the battery division of the global green tech company Envision Group, has presented plans for the battery factory.
Read more: 400 job vacancies at Nissan’s Sunderland plant
The plant with a capacity of 9 GWh is part of a 1 billion
Subject to planning permission, Envision AESC will invest £ 450 million as part of the transformation project to create 750 jobs while preserving 300 jobs from its existing Sunderland facility. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2022 to support battery production in 2024, paving the way for potential future investments of $ 1.8 billion.
The existing plant in Sunderland has been supplying Nissan with batteries for the Leaf electric vehicle for nine years.
The new Gigafactory will produce batteries to power more than 100,000 electric vehicles annually, using new Gen5 battery cells with a third more energy density to improve range, efficiency and performance.
Envision AESC’s new factory will be the greenest to date, powered by 100% renewable energy and backed by a £ 80 million microgrid being developed by Sunderland City Council.
Chris Caygill, Envision AESC UK Managing Director, said, “Envision AESC operates the world’s best battery factories in terms of automation, productivity and quality. If the building permit for this transformation project is granted, we will accelerate the transition to zero carbon neutrality by supplying 100,000 more electric vehicles annually with state-of-the-art batteries and helping to make electric vehicles more affordable.
“It is thanks to the innovation and ingenuity of the highly qualified employees in our existing plant that we can take this next important step. Your remarkable accomplishments have fueled our global quest to produce high-performance, longer-range, non-incident batteries for hundreds of thousands of drivers over the past decade.
“As we embark on the next stages of this journey, we are proud to partner with Nissan and the Sunderland City Council, who are leading a green industrial revolution to promote truly sustainable growth opportunities in the region for generations to come.
“We look forward to what we can do together to push the boundaries of battery technology, invest in cutting-edge technology and locate a growing supply base as part of a net-zero electrification center. The building application follows a public consultation with stakeholders and residents, 80% of which were positively supported. “
CEO of the Envision Group, Lei Zhang
(Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
If approved, it will be the largest facility in the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP), which is a significant advance on the 150-acre site.
Sunderland City Council Chairman Graeme Miller said, “We all knew the potential of IAMP given its proximity to Nissan and the exceptional infrastructure it supports, but the rapid transformation of this site from undeveloped land to a high-performing advanced manufacturing facility shows that Level of ambition from IAMP LLP.
“Envision AESC will create quality jobs for the local population – green jobs, making green products backed by green energy to power green cars. We are delighted that this project is moving forward and will continue to play a critical, proactive role in creating jobs in the region. ‘
George Mansbridge, South Tyneside Council’s corporate director of regeneration and the environment, added, “Just weeks after the fantastic $ 1 billion announcement, imagine the AESC Gigafactory and microgrid and the wheels are already moving around it to advance exciting project.
“It’s a big step forward and we’re excited to see the project moving forward so soon after the announcement, with this building application that will pave the way to create a facility that will create hundreds and then thousands of new jobs for ours Resident creates. “
IAMP has been supported by the UK government through the Local Growth Fund through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) towards infrastructure, including new roads, bridges and environmental improvements, to aid development.
Helen Golightly, CEO of NELEP added, “The North East will play a leading role in the UK’s transition to a greener economy as we work towards the government’s net zero goal.
“With our existing skill base, supply chain and infrastructure, the addition of Envision AESC’s Gigafactory will further solidify the Northeast as a leader in renewable energy and we look forward to seeing it take shape and see more and better jobs in our region . “
