Land at West Midlands airport earmarked for new gigafactory
Plans for a giant gigafactory in the West Midlands have moved a stage closer after a site was identified for the project.
Business leaders and politicians are desperate for the region to host a gigafactory, which will build batteries for electric vehicles and is seen as a crucial element of the country’s move away from fossil fuels.
It is seen as essential if the region is to maintain its position as a leader in the car industry and comes after Jaguar Land Rover revealed plans to go all-electric by 2025.
Land at Coventry Airport has been secured for the site, and the race is now on to bring in private sector investment before submitting an official bid to the Government later this year.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, said the deal was a “huge development” for the whole region.
There had been speculation about a gigafactory site being created near the M54. But Mr Street said the development in Coventry, close to the M6, would be significant for the whole of the West Midlands and help secure thousands of jobs and create new ones in supporting industries across the Black Country, Birmingham, Staffordshire and Shropshire.
Mr Street, who has been pushing the case for a gigafactory with ministers, said: “Anybody whose job is currently in the automotive sector, or as a supplier to the automotive sector, needs this battery factory to come and be a success for the future of their jobs.
“At the moment the sector is predominantly about combustion engines – but in 10 years' time we are not going to be able to sell combustion engines at all in the UK.
“It will all be about electric cars and so we will really need electric batteries. We need to make the batteries in the UK and here in the West Midlands in order for the industry as a whole to thrive, and for those jobs to thrive into the future.
“It’s the critical link in the chain, and that’s why it is crucial we bring that investment to the West Midlands. It won’t just serve Coventry, it will serve the whole region.”
Mr Street said the site would serve as an “attractive piece of bait” for potential investors, while another major plus was the region’s position “at the heart of the UK’s automotive sector” with firms such as Jaguar Land Rover, which has major plants alongside the M54 and in Solihull.
Other potential sites had been put forward, including land on the Shropshire border owned by Bradford Estates off Junction 3 of the M54.
Ministers have pledged an initial investment of up to £500 million for regions that are able to move forward with a gigafactory scheme. It is seen as essential to have a regional centre to serve the motor industry in the West Midlands and may end up working with the likes of JLR and MG.
Last year it was confirmed that Britishvolt will open the UK’s first gigafactory near Aston Martin’s factory in St Athan, Wales. The North East of England is also putting together a bid.
It is thought that up to eight gigafactories could eventually be needed, after the Government announced a ban on new internal combustion engine cars after 2030.
The deal is a joint venture between Coventry Council and Coventry Airport Ltd.
Councillor George Duggins, leader of Coventry Council, said the city was the “obvious” choice for a gigafactory as it is home to the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre and its links with JLR.
Andrew Bell, CEO of Regional City Airports who own and manage Coventry Airport, said: “We recognise what a significant opportunity this is and are backing the project with investment alongside our public sector partners. This is a ground-breaking initiative.”
