Battery Breakdown December 2024 with Cain van Heyningen

Agratas to complete construction on the largest electric car battery factory in UK 

Agratas is well on their way with the construction on the UK’s largest electric car battery factory, located near Bridgwater in Somerset. The 4-billion-pound project, marks a major milestone with piling work scheduled to continue until spring 2025. Once completed, the factory will play a key role in electric vehicle battery production, contributing to the UK’s green energy initiatives.  

The factory is being built on the Gravity Smart Campus, a former Royal Ordnance factory site, benefiting from pre-approved planning permissions under a Local Development Order. However, compliance certificates are still required from Somerset Council to ensure adherence to planning conditions. The two-year construction project will involve approximately 2,000 workers and is described as one of the largest of its kind in the UK. According to Joe Hibbert, Vice President of Capital Projects at Agratas, the site is so large that it could accommodate the UK’s tallest building—laid end-to-end…. Twice. 

NextStar Energy launches battery module production in Canada 

The next update is about NextStar Energy’s investment in Windsor, Ontario. During the summer, the Canadian government has committed to providing subsidies equivalent to those offered under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This agreement ensured the continuation of battery cell and module production in Ontario. The plant's construction had been paused on May 15 but has now resumed during the summer following the subsidy commitment. 

Mark Stewart, Stellantis’ Chief Operating Officer for North America, expressed satisfaction with the federal and provincial governments’ efforts to level the playing field with the IRA. The financial support has secured a stable future for the battery plant, emphasizing Canada's dedication to fostering its electric vehicle manufacturing sector. The module production launch reflects NextStar Energy’s commitment to becoming a leader in North American battery technology. The next phase, cell manufacturing, is expected to start in 2025, reaching an annual capacity of 49.5 gigawatt-hours—enough to power 450,000 vehicles annually. 

BlueOval SK is making significant progress on its Kentucky battery plant 

The third update is about BlueOval SK, the joint venture between Ford Motor Co. and SK On, which has made significant progress on its battery plant in Glendale, Kentucky. The JV has hired approximately 1,100 workers, with 750 assigned to the massive facility. Governor Andy Beshear highlighted the project as a cornerstone in Kentucky’s efforts to become the "EV capital of the U.S." He emphasized the transformative impact on the state, including meaningful employment opportunities and long-term economic growth. 

The Kentucky battery park, consisting of two facilities, is expected to employ 5,000 workers once fully operational. The first plant, "Kentucky 1," is set to begin production in early 2025, employing 2,500 people, while the second plant has faced delays due to slower-than-expected EV demand. With over 85% of hires coming from within Kentucky, the project has fuelled growth in Hardin County, spurring new retail developments and housing.  

It also features the BlueOval SK Training Center at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, supported by a $10 million workforce development grant. Despite earlier issues with mold on-site, the project remains a vital part of Kentucky’s economic and EV industry ambitions. 

ACC's Gigafactory is advancing the completion of BBD2 and BBD3’s production facility 

The next update is about ACC's Gigafactory in Billy-Berclau, Douvrin. After finishing the first production facility BBD1 last year, it continues to push forward in finishing the next two, BBD 2 and 3. The factory is advancing its infrastructure with the installation of a future on-site nitrogen production unit to support the production of cells and modules. Three liquid nitrogen storage tanks, each standing 17 meters tall and holding 80 cubic meters, have been placed at the new station's site, near the factory's electrical substation and fire protection tanks. These tanks will store liquid nitrogen for emergency use in case of production downtime, converting it to gaseous nitrogen when required.  

The installation of the storage tanks required specialized equipment, including two cranes, to position them securely in a process that spanned an entire day. The nitrogen production unit will support both BBD1 and BBD2 production lines, with equipment arriving between now and the end of the year, connections planned for January 2025, and full commissioning by February 2025. 

Stellantis and CATL to invest €4.1 billion in LFP battery plant in Spain 

Stellantis and CATL have now officially announced a joint venture to build a cutting-edge lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant at Stellantis' Zaragoza site in Spain, with a planned investment of up to €4.1 billion. The facility will support Stellantis' strategic plan, "Dare Forward 2030," which aims to make electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable and advance the company's carbon-neutral goals. Designed to be carbon-neutral itself, the plant will be built in phases, with production set to begin by late 2026 with a potential capacity of up to 50 GWh, subject to market demand and regulatory support.  

The joint venture marks a deepening collaboration between Stellantis and CATL, leveraging Stellantis' automotive expertise and CATL's advanced battery technology. It will supply durable and cost-effective LFP batteries for electric vehicles, particularly in the B and C segments, enabling Stellantis to expand its EV offerings in Europe. The partnership also includes long-term commitments to strengthen the EV battery value chain and develop advanced technology.  

This Zaragoza plant complements CATL's existing European facilities in Germany and Hungary, further aligning with global efforts toward e-mobility and energy transition. The transaction is expected to close in 2025, pending regulatory approvals, and underscores both companies' commitment to a decarbonized future. 

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If you have an upcoming project coming up, we provide engineering, construction and project management services to help you deliver your project ahead of schedule and under budget. Reach out to Cain at cain.vanheyningen@cmcexpertisedelivered.com or leave us a message here.