- A new UK-based 40GWh electric vehicle battery gigafactory, operated by Tata Group’s global battery arm, Agratas, is on track for a 2026 opening, with National Grid confirming it has commenced the work of getting the new factory connected to the country’s energy grid.
- The new factory, which will be based at the Gravity Smart Campus near Bridgewater, is set to create around 4,000 high-skill ‘green jobs’ upon its opening.
- The planned annual battery production capacity of 40GWh could help cater for enough batteries for around 500,000 electric passenger cars – and aims to supply nearly 50% of the UK automotive industry’s battery requirements, in the first half of the 2030s.
UK Tata EV battery factory on track for 2026 launch
The new Agratas factory will be a key asset in the UK’s green industry, with Tata having invested £4 billion into the new site – boosting industry at both a local and national level.
With the UK’s emobility transition in full swing, new EV facilities such as these, along with an increasing number of electric vehicles on the country’s roads, will make the next ten years a particularly busy time for National Grid. On the National Grid distribution network, 2024 saw a 42% rise in demand and 28% rise in grid connection requests compared to 2023. National Grid also predict that industry energy demand, from facilities such as the Agratas site, will rise by around 30%, between now and 2035. However, with this connection project existing as part of a £30 billion National Grid Investment to meet future demand, along with significant battery energy storage system projects being added to the grid, forecasted demand should be easier to meet – particularly from renewable sources.
Cordi O’Hara, President of National Grid Electricity Distribution, added:
“The Agratas battery factory at Gravity is set to bring thousands of skilled jobs and provide a boost to the regional economy, as well as pushing forward the electrification of transport across the country. This is a clear example of networks acting as a catalyst for growth and shows the benefits that upgraded networks can bring. We are committed to investing significantly in our network so it can deliver energy where it is needed for customers.”
Jefferson Weber, Head of UK Construction for Agratas, said:
“The electrical connection being developed by National Grid is a critical infrastructure project that will supply the essential power needed to operate our new facility. This connection is fundamental to ensuring the reliable energy supply required to support what will be the UK’s largest battery manufacturing facility. National Grid’s expertise in delivering this key project is vital to the success of our site and will help us achieve our ambitious goals.”
