Sir Robert McAlpine is set to commence construction on Somerset’s Agratas battery factory.
- The £4bn facility will significantly advance the UK’s battery manufacturing capacity.
- McAlpine’s selection follows a rigorous tender process, highlighting its expertise.
- The factory will transform part of the Gravity Smart Campus, a former Royal Ordnance site.
- Completion is expected by 2026, with long-term impacts on the UK’s automotive sector.
Sir Robert McAlpine has been selected to lead the construction of the first phase of the Agratas battery factory in Somerset, marking a pivotal advancement in the UK’s industrial landscape. The preconstruction services agreement was signed, cementing McAlpine’s role in this £4bn venture. The factory is set to occupy a substantial portion of the Gravity Smart Campus, a development on the 300-acre site of the former Royal Ordnance Factory in Puriton, near Bridgwater.
Agratas, Tata Group’s global battery business, emphasised McAlpine’s strong performance during the tender process, noting cost-effectiveness, capability, experience, commitment to sustainability, and exceptional collaborative efforts. Consequently, McAlpine has been awarded responsibility for Building One, which, alongside ancillary developments, encompasses a significant 244,710 sqm of floor space, exceeding Wembley Stadium by over 35%.
Preparations for the construction, slated to become operational by 2026, have already begun. Groundwork has been underway for several months, with piling for Building One scheduled in the coming weeks. Earlier this year, Kelston Sparks was engaged for a two-year contract concerning groundworks and piling mat installation, setting the foundational stage for this enormous project.
Once all phases are completed, the Agratas facility is poised to become the most significant of its kind in the UK. By the early 2030s, it aims to fulfil nearly half the projected battery manufacturing demand for the UK’s automotive industry. Joe Hibbert, Agratas’ vice president for capital projects, remarked on the symbiotic partnership with McAlpine, highlighting their shared vision focused on community impact.
Sir Robert McAlpine’s managing director for buildings, Grant Findlay, reflected on the company’s historical role in the UK’s industrial evolution, expressing pride in being selected as Agratas’ preferred delivery partner. “Across our 155-year history, we have always been at the forefront of industrial change in the UK,” he stated, acknowledging the importance of this collaboration.
The Agratas battery factory project underlines the UK’s commitment to scaling up its industrial and manufacturing capabilities in a sustainable manner.
