A battery industrialisation and production plant in Coventry is set to open its doors following a £130 million funding campaign for its creation.
Source: UKBIC
The 185,000 square-foot site was subsidised via public funding by the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) and is available to produce batteries for any company promising to prioritise green jobs.
Battery companies can apply new or existing technology to the plant and can be used by firms working on batteries for stationary energy storage, industrial equipment, electric vehicles and any number of other applications.
The plants unique selling point is the £60 million worth of specialist equipment which is now in the final stages of commission.
It will available for public use by the end of the year.
The plant allows companies to put their ideas and technologies to the test, by providing an environment in which they can see whether or not their plans can be applied to reality.
Manufacturers will be able to see if batteries can be developed at the volume, speed, and performance and cost to make them commercially viable.
UKBIC currently employs 86 people at the plant, including battery engineers, consultant and technicians.
They plan to increase this number to beyond 100 in the near future.
KBIC managing director Jeff Pratt said: “We’re really excited to be getting close to being operational and playing a key role in developing and stimulating the race to a greener future.
“Since moving into our new facility earlier this year, we have already begun to welcome manufacturers, entrepreneurs, researchers and educators, albeit in a controlled and socially distanced manner.
“We and our partners have continued to work on the facility throughout the Covid-19 period.
"Although we have seen some delays, we have continued to make excellent progress, and are now seeing our first facilities beginning to come on stream.”
UKBIC is part of the government's Faraday Battery Challenge, a government scheme to fast-track the creation of effective, clean and affordable batteries.
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