Sir Robert McAlpine has been chosen for a £4bn battery cell factory project.
- The factory, set for Somerset, signifies a pivotal industrial shift.
- Building One will cover 244,710 square metres, due by 2026.
- McAlpine’s appointment follows a rigorous tender process.
- The facility will fulfil a significant portion of the UK’s battery needs.
In a significant development for the UK car industry, Sir Robert McAlpine has been selected to lead the preconstruction services for a massive £4 billion battery cell manufacturing plant in Somerset. This project, commissioned by Agratas, a subsidiary of Tata, represents a new era in automotive manufacturing technology within the region and underscores the transformational efforts in clean energy innovation.
The plant, encompassing a gross external area of 244,710 square metres, is referred to as Building One and is slated for completion by 2026. McAlpine, known for its commitment to technical excellence and sustainability, will begin preparations on site in the coming weeks, according to a statement from Agratas. This appointment is the fruit of an extensive tender process that evaluated competing firms on several parameters, including cost, capability, and collaborative potential.
Agratas emphasises the critical role of McAlpine in bringing their shared vision to life, which focuses on placing community at the heart of developments. Joe Hibbert, Agratas’s vice president for capital projects, highlighted the alignment in values, stating, “The beginning of this partnership with Sir Robert McAlpine is another pivotal moment for our nationally significant project.”
Upon reaching full operational capacity, the gigafactory is projected to be the largest in the United Kingdom. By the early 2030s, it is expected to supply nearly 40 per cent of the domestic car industry’s battery requirements, despite anticipation that this proportion will decrease as electric vehicle adoption accelerates. Initially, the plant will serve associated brands such as Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors, but Agratas aspires to expand its customer base thereafter.
This expansive undertaking is set to necessitate approximately 2,100 construction workers at the peak of its development phase. The project is a collaborative effort; alongside McAlpine, firms like Stantec and Turner & Townsend play crucial roles in design and cost management. Furthermore, Kelston Sparkes has been appointed for foundational work, notably groundworks, earthworks, and piling-mat installation for the scheme.
The development of this gigafactory marks a transformative milestone in the UK’s automotive industry, promising significant advancements in battery manufacturing.
