Approval of plans for a huge gigaplant in Northumberland have been described as a ‘game changer’ by the county council. 

 

Planning approval was given to Britishvolt, which specialises in battery technologies and chose Cambois as the site for its first gigaplant on the former Power Station site. 

 

The facility will produce world class lithium-ion batteries with the first phase of the facility intended to be operational by 2023 and at full capacity by 2028.  

 

Once at full capacity, the gigaplant will have a production capability equating to approximately 300,000 electric vehicle battery packs each year, intended primarily for the automotive industry.  

 

It will be the first gigaplant in the UK - with a production capacity more than three times that of other recently announced schemes, all of which are only at early stages of design and planning.    

 

When built, the site is anticipated to employ almost 3,000 workers. Of these, around 300 will be office staff with the rest operational workers. 

 

In addition, it is anticipated there will be a several thousand indirect jobs created in the local supply chains for the development. 

 

Council leader Glen Sanderson said: “We’re absolutely delighted this gigaplant has been granted planning permission. It’s a real game changer for Northumberland. 

 

“It’s fantastic news - not just for the local area, but the wider county and the whole region. It’s the biggest investment in living memory. 

 

“We’ve a long and proud history of industry in this part of Northumberland and a factory and investment of this size will put this area firmly on the map once again for generations to come.   

 

“Here in Northumberland we’re at the forefront of the offshore renewable energy industry and this is a massive boost. The decision by Britishvolt to choose   Northumberland demonstrates just what this county has to offer in terms of its location, its facilities, an ambitious Council, and more importantly, its workforce.  

 

“This will not only provide a huge economic upturn, it means 3,000 jobs onsite and thousands more in the supply chain. 

 

“And with Nissan’s announcement of a Gigafactory last week it really has been a great week for the north east – as we lead the country in pioneering new and green technologies.” 

 

Peter Rolton, Britishvolt Chairman, said: “This is a huge win, not only for Britishvolt, but also the people of Northumberland.  

 

“The Gigaplant will bring with it much need employment, totally regenerating the area. Britishvolt has a strong social values agenda, as well as a world-class Environmental, Social and Governance framework.  

 

“At our very heart is doing the right thing. This project is the right thing for UK plc, and its people, on the roadmap to a low carbon, sustainable future.”