The National Grid has started work on a new substation that will enable gigafactories to set up close to the Nissan plant in Sunderland.
The new 275kV substation on the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) will provide a new grid connection so that Nissan and battery partner AESC 海角视频 can produce electric cars and the batteries for them at Sunderland using renewable energy. The work will reinforce the power network in the region, giving it the ability to cope with the amount of power that could sustain around half a million homes each day.
As part of the project, National Grid has re-routed a kilometre-long stretch of pylons and overhead power line to run around the IAMP’s future perimeter, freeing up land for work on the substation and gigafactories to progress. A joint venture between engineering and construction firms Omexom and Taylor Woodrow has been appointed to carry out the substation work.
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IAMP spans 150 hectares of land across both Sunderland and South Tyneside local authority areas, and is backed with £42m from the 海角视频 government through the Local Growth Fund and the former North East LEP. It is hoped that thousands of jobs will be created there.
Alice Delahunty, president of National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Sunderland City Council, Nissan and AESC 海角视频 to help bring the EV36Zero hub and other IAMP developments to life with a new high voltage substation and grid connection at Hylton Castle.
“Plugging the site directly into our transmission network – the electricity superhighway that spans England and Wales – will deliver it a firm supply of power 24/7, and enable its operations that will support jobs and prosperity in the area for years to come.”
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Patrick Melia, chief executive of Sunderland City Council, said: “The creation of Nissan’s EV36Zero Hub will create and sustain many thousands of jobs for years to come, so this is a transformation project that is powered by partnership working. We’re pleased to see this work move forward.”
Jonathan Tew, chief executive of South Tyneside Council, said: “IAMP is a vitally important project which will support the growth of the 海角视频 manufacturing sector, this new grid connection will unlock enormous potential thanks to collaboration with National Grid and our colleagues at Sunderland City Council.”
In April, battery firm AESC submitted plans for a third gigafactory in Sunderland, with work currently ongoing on its second. It is hoped the project will create hundreds of skills jobs.