Tata Sons announced plans to establish a global battery cell gigafactory in the UK with a capacity to produce 40GW of cells annually.
This investment of more than £4bn is an integral part of the Tata group’s commitment to electric mobility and renewable energy storage solutions and establishes a competitive green tech ecosystem in the UK at scale.
Mobility and energy sectors
The battery gigafactory will produce high-quality, high-performance, sustainable battery cells and packs for a variety of applications within the mobility and energy sectors.
The company’s strategic growth plans for its flexible manufacturing capacity will begin with a rapid ramp-up phase and the start of production in 2026.The gigafactory intends to maximise its renewable energy mix, with an ambition for 100% clean power.
The plant will employ innovative technologies and resource efficient processes like battery recycling to recover and reuse all the original raw materials to deliver a truly circular economy ecosystem.
N Chandrasekaran, chairman, Tata Sons, said: “The Tata group is deeply committed to a sustainable future across all of our business. Today, I am delighted to announce the Tata group will be setting up one of Europe's largest battery cell manufacturing facilities in the UK.
"Our multibillion-pound investment will bring state-of-the-art technology to the country, helping to power the automotive sector’s transition to electric mobility, anchored by our own business, Jaguar Land Rover.
"With this strategic investment, the Tata group further strengthens its commitment to the UK, alongside our many companies operating here across technology, consumer, hospitality, steel, chemicals, and automotive."
The UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) said: "UKBIC welcomes the latest news from Tata Group that it is to build a multibillion-pound battery gigafactory in the UK.
Significant landmark for UK industry including automotive sector and the construction industry
“The announcement is a significant landmark for UK industry, including the automotive sector and its supply chain, as well as the construction industry and other sectors planning to source batteries for electrification. The new gigafactory, at 40GWh, will be one of the largest in Europe, and the creation of direct and indirect jobs will significantly boost employment and economic opportunity and bring vital long-term stability for the future of UK automotive.
“Today’s news, coupled with last year’s gigafactory investment announcement from AESC in Sunderland, sends strong signals to global investors and those working in the battery sector, that the UK is a country with a battery industry worth investing in.
“UKBIC will continue to support companies who are looking to scale up battery production, upskill their workforce and participate in the UK government-funded Faraday Battery Challenge’s mission to build a high-tech, high-value, high-skill battery industry in the UK.”