The construction of a lithium ion battery manufacturing plant with a supplementary 200MW solar plant at the former RAF base at Bro Tathan in Wales has moved a step closed after manufacturer Britishvolt signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Welsh government.
The site for the 30 GWh plant was narrowed down from over 40 locations over six months of analysis.
The MoU will see Britishvolt and the Welsh government collaborate on the potential of building the UK’s first full cycle battery cell gigaplant, subject to UK government funding through the Automotive Transformation Fund, to produce lithium ion cylindrical and pouch cells primarily servicing the automotive market.
Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2021.
Orral Nadjari, CEO and founder at Britishvolt said: “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. The pandemic is acting as a catalyst, creating new markets for greener technologies, and highlighting the importance of localised supply chains – which Britishvolt has the backing and resources to drive forward.
