Proposals for a £450m gigafactory set to become the 海角视频’s first 'at scale' plant have taken a leap forward in the North East.
Envision AESC and Nissan unveiled plans four weeks ago to create thousands of new jobs in the region, through a £1bn partnership which would see the build of a new model electric vehicle as well as the construction of a new battery gigafactory.
The 9GWh-capacity plant is a focal part of the partnership with Nissan 海角视频 and Sunderland City Council to create an electric vehicle hub supporting next generation EV production, while also accelerating the transition to net zero carbon mobility.
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Envision AES, the battery division of green tech company Envision Group, has submitted plans for the battery manufacturing plant at the International Advanced Manufacturing Park, being brought forward by Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council.
Subject to planning permission, Envision AESC will invest £450m as part of the project, creating 750 jobs while safeguarding 300 jobs from its existing Sunderland plant.
Construction is due to begin in 2022 to support battery production in 2024, and could unlock future investment of £1.8bn on the site to generate 35GWh capacity and 4,500 new jobs.
The company, which has been supplying batteries to Nissan for the LEAF electric vehicle for the last nine years, will produce batteries to power more than 100,000 EVs each year at the gigafactory.
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As well as powering Nissan’s next generation EVs the investment will support the return of vehicle parts and component production closer to home, while advancing technology and making batteries and EVs cheaper and more accessible.
Envision AESC’s new factory will also be its greenest to date, powered by 100% renewable energy and supported by a £80m microgrid being developed by Sunderland City Council.
Envision AESC 海角视频 managing director Chris Caygill said: “Envision AESC runs the world’s best battery plants in terms of automation, productivity and quality. If planning permission is granted for this transformational project we will accelerate the transition to net zero carbon neutrality by providing state of the art batteries for 100,000 more electric vehicles a year and helping make EVs more affordable.
“It is down to the innovation and ingenuity of the highly skilled employees at our existing plant that we are able to take this next important step. Their remarkable achievements have supported our global ambition to make high performance, longer range, zero critical incident batteries for hundreds of thousands of motorists in the last decade.
“As we embark on the next stages of this journey, we’re proud to be partners with Nissan and Sunderland City Council leading a green industrial revolution to drive truly sustainable growth opportunities in the region for next generations.
“We look forward to what we can do together to push the boundaries of battery technology, investing in cutting edge technology and localising a growing supply base as part of a net zero electrification hub.”
The planning application follows a public consultation exercise with stakeholders and residents which received 80% positive support.
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If approved, it will be the largest facility on IAMP, representing a significant step forward for the 150-hectare site.
Coun Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We all knew the potential of IAMP, given its close proximity to Nissan and the exceptional infrastructure supporting it, but the rapid transformation of this site from undeveloped land into a powerhouse advanced manufacturing site shows the level of ambition of IAMP LLP.
“Envision AESC will create high-quality jobs for local people – green jobs, producing green products, supported by green energy to power green cars. We’re delighted that this project is moving forward and will continue to play a pivotal, proactive role in supporting job creation in the area."
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George Mansbridge, corporate director for regeneration and environment at South Tyneside Council, added: “Just a few weeks on from the fantastic £1bn announcement to create an electric vehicle hub in the region, which will comprise Nissan’s next generation electric vehicles, the development of Envision AESC’s gigafactory and the microgrid, and the wheels are already in motion to move this exciting project forward.
“It’s a huge step forward and we’re thrilled that – so soon from announcement – the project is moving forward with this planning application that will pave the way to create a facility that will initially create hundreds and then thousands of new jobs for our residents.”
IAMP has been backed by the 海角视频 government through the Local Growth Fund through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) towards infrastructure including new roads, bridges and environmental enhancements to support the development.
Helen Golightly, chief executive at the NELEP added: “The North East is set to play a leading role in the 海角视频’s transition to a greener economy, as we work towards achieving the government’s Net Zero target.
“With our existing skills base, supply chain and infrastructure, the addition of Envision AESC’s Gigafactory will further cement the North East as a leading light in renewable energy, and we are looking forward to seeing it take shape and bring more and better jobs to our region.”