Britishvolt has insisted work on the multimillion-pound gigafactory in Northumberland continues, despite suggestions activity has stalled on site.
The battery maker and its construction partner ISG have issued statements in response to the claims, saying work is progressing in line with plans though acknowledging the programme has been "designed flexibly" to allow the firm to revisit plans to create efficiencies and counter rising materials prices. Confirmation of £100m Government support for the project came late last month and Britishvolt pointed to the move as part of its response.
A Britishvolt spokesperson said: "Britishvolt remains fully committed to constructing the UK’s premier battery cell gigaplant in Northumberland, and we intend phase one production to begin mid-decade. Importantly, the UK Government has shown its confidence in the project with the recent confirmation of Automotive Transformation Fund support for the gigaplant, a project that will create the jobs and industry of the future.
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"Work is progressing in line with our plans, and over the next few months we will be transporting more than 30,000 tonnes of stone onto site as part of the groundworks phase. Battery technology continues to evolve at a highly dynamic pace and through our growing roster of industry and academic partnerships we are constantly reviewing how this will impact our Northumberland gigaplant.
"Our capital works phased development programme has been designed flexibly to enables us to reschedule activity to critically evaluate core design and build elements, optimising the build schedule to improve efficiency and optimise synergies across our phases, as well as to understand and mitigate the consequences of rising material prices, to ensure our new facility is geared up to become the global leader in battery manufacturing excellence.”
An ISG spokesperson added: "Work continues at our Cambois site in line with the development plan and we are closely collaborating with our client to facilitate a dynamic project that is evolving with the rapid advancement in battery technology. The recent confirmation of funding from the government’s Automotive Transformation Fund is welcome news, and we remain a committed and passionate partner in this transformative scheme for the people of Northumberland."
Britishvolt hopes to produce more than 300,000 lithium-ion batteries a year at Blyth, making it the second gigafactory in the North East after the Envision AESC plant at Sunderland. The factory is said to create 3,000 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs.
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