Indian conglomerate Tata, known for Tata Motors, has officially designated Bridgwater in Somerset as the site for its new $5 billion battery factory. What's more, it will generate approximately 4,000 jobs in the region, as reported by The Guardian.
In their official press release, the battery division of Tata acquired the land at the Gravity Smart campus off the M5, located just outside Bridgwater, Somerset, England.
Tata had previously announced in July its intention to establish its next gigafactory in the UK, securing approximately £500 million ($630 million) in government subsidies for the project.
While the exact location of the factory was not initially disclosed, Bridgwater emerged as the likely candidate. Tata eyed it prior due to its proximity to the M5 and available infrastructure, including a former military explosives factory that closed in 2008.
Tom Flack, CEO of Agratas, expressed optimism about the investment, emphasizing the role of their innovation in Somerset. But mainly to drive Britain's transition to electric vehicles and provide jobs.
"Our multibillion-pound investment will bring state of the art technology to Somerset, helping to supercharge Britain's transition to electric mobility while creating thousands of jobs in the process."
The company has initiated preliminary activities on the site, with plans to commence foundation work in the spring and begin battery production by 2026.
As the automotive industry shifts towards electric vehicles, the demand for batteries has escalated, with MPs raising concerns about the UK's capacity to supply sufficient batteries for future car manufacturing needs.
Tata's 40 gigawatt-hour (GWh) plant, alongside other proposed projects, is expected to address only a portion of the UK's projected 100 GWh battery production requirement by 2030.
Besides this new venture, Agratas also states that their company intends to supply batteries to Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover initially, with plans to expand its offerings to include commercial energy storage, two-wheelers, and commercial vehicles.
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