Sir Robert McAlpine has been chosen to construct the UK’s largest electric vehicle battery factory.
- Agratas, part of Tata Group, will develop the £4bn facility at Gravity Smart Campus.
- This significant investment marks one of the largest manufacturing projects in Europe.
- Construction of Building One, covering 244,710m2, is slated to begin soon.
- The facility aims to produce sustainable battery cells by 2026, powering UK’s energy transition.
In a groundbreaking move, Sir Robert McAlpine has been commissioned to build a £4 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery factory in Somerset. This strategic initiative is spearheaded by Agratas, the battery manufacturing arm of Tata Group, and represents a substantial enhancement in the UK’s manufacturing landscape. The factory’s location at the Gravity Smart Campus, situated south of Bristol near Bridgwater, positions it as a pivotal development within the region.
Poised to become the largest EV battery manufacturing plant in the United Kingdom, and one of the largest of its kind in Europe, this advanced facility underscores the growing importance of sustainable energy solutions. The construction project includes three separate buildings along with associated ancillary structures. Notably, the first building and its related developments, which McAlpine will construct, span an impressive 244,710 square metres. The construction preparations are progressing, with piling for the initial building expected to commence in the coming weeks.
Utilising innovative technologies and resource-efficient processes, the factory is designed to produce high-performance and sustainable battery cells. These cells are expected to play a crucial role in the UK’s energy transition by powering an estimated hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles. The completion and operational commencement of the facility are scheduled for 2026, aligning with national goals for energy sustainability and efficiency.
Earlier this year, in March, Stantec was selected to design the infrastructure of Tata’s ambitious factory. Complementarily, Turner & Townsend were appointed to oversee cost management and project administration for the enabling works. The project’s strategic execution is supported by Sir Robert McAlpine’s long-standing record of industrial achievement in the UK.
Joe Hibbert, Agratas’ vice president for capital projects, highlighted the significance of the partnership with McAlpine, expressing confidence in their shared vision of community centrality and technical excellence. Grant Findlay, executive managing director for buildings at McAlpine, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the company’s legacy at the forefront of industrial shifts in the UK.
The construction of this factory signifies a transformative step towards sustainable manufacturing and energy transition in the UK.
