The first steel frames on the Agratas site near Bridgwater, Somerset, are now in place, marking a major milestone in the construction of the UK’s flagship battery manufacturing facility.
Agratas’ Somerset facility is described as “a transformational and nationally significant project” that will supply almost half of the batteries needed by the UK’s automotive industry by the early 2030s.
The steel structure is being erected in phases, with the build beginning at the north of the site. It follows significant progress on site in recent weeks: approximately 17,000 piles are now in the ground, forming the solid foundations required to support the scale of the project. As activity on site continues to ramp up, additional cabins have also been delivered to accommodate the growing construction teams working to bring the facility to life.
Agratas has confirmed that 100% of the steel used for the build is sourced from British suppliers.
Industry Minister Sarah Jones MP says: “It’s great to see this milestone reached for Agratas’ gigafactory, which will be vital for Somerset’s economy and shows the huge growth potential for UK battery manufacturing. That’s why our modern Industrial Strategy will turbocharge growth and investment in the industry for the long term, delivering on our Plan for Change.
“Agratas’ use of 100% UK-made steel for the construction is a welcome win for our steel industry in the run-up to the launch of our Steel Strategy, which will back the sector with up to £2.5bn of investment.”
