Battery technology company Britishvolt has said that building its £2.6 billion Gigaplant for the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries in Blyth, Northumberland, will create 5,000 jobs in its supply chain.
Construction at the site will begin in summer 2021 with batteries produced by the end of 2023.
Britishvolt said that by the final phase of the project in 2027 the Gigaplant be employing up to 3,000 highly skilled people, producing over 300,000 lithium-ion batteries for the UK automotive industry. It said it provide up to 5,000 jobs in the wider supply chain.
Britishvolt Chief Executive Orral Nadjari said: “We are delighted to have secured this site in Blyth. This is a tremendous moment both for Britishvolt and UK industry. Now we can really start the hard work and begin producing lithium-ion batteries for future electrified vehicles in just three years.
“It is crucial for the UK automotive industry and for the entire economy that we are able to power the future. The sooner we start, the better.”
