intelligent POWER AND COOLING

company , is set to amplify battery cell production in Europe , with the support of EIT InnoEnergy , Schneider Electric and the GROUPE IDEC . The new venture will accelerate the production capacity of low-carbon batteries in southern Europe to meet growing demand for electric vehicles and stationary storage .

Production in Verkor ’ s first Gigafactory is scheduled to begin in 2023 , with a capacity of 16 GWh of battery cells which will increase to 50 GWh in line with market dynamics . The facility will require an initial investment of € 1.6 billion and will create more than 2,000 direct jobs while supporting thousands more in its supply chain and ecosystem . The search for 200 + hectares of land is already underway .

Verkor was founded in response to the growing gap between the expected demand for batteries and the committed and planned European supply . Indeed , the expected growth in demand this decade will require two to three Gigafactories in France alone .

The European industrial ecosystem is therefore compelled to establish a sustainable and indigenous European battery supply chain , which in turn will reduce reliance on imports .

France ’ s affordable and low-carbon electricity , prominent automotive manufacturers , leading energy providers , and its demonstrated industrial prowess make it the ideal location for Gigafactories in southern Europe , a region which falls short of such projects when compared to northern and central Europe .

Benoit Lemaignan , the CEO of Verkor , is passionate : “ Our team is made up of industrial entrepreneurs who have accumulated vast experience in the field , especially in battery-cell manufacturing . We are multinational and growing fast with the addition of new talent from all over the world . We are working in an agile , fast-follower mode to bring locally manufactured , low-CO ₂ battery cells to the market . Combined with the expertise of our strategic partners , I am confident that we are aligning the winning conditions to start the construction of a highly efficient manufacturing Gigafactory in 2022 , deliver our first cells in 2023 and stepping up of industrial activities , key to accelerating low carbon mobility in Europe .”

Diego Pavia , CEO of EIT InnoEnergy , said : “ The first Verkor Gigafactory will help bridge the gap between Europe ’ s planned demand and currently forecasted European supply in this decade . Verkor ’ s unique value proposition on manufacturing optimisation and excellence is welcome . The strategic partnerships it is building make us confident that Verkor will deliver . Coupled with the COVID recovery , the initiative will further accelerate the French and European battery value chain , from mining to recycling , and boost the growth of hundreds of businesses across France and Europe . Anchored in our work with the European Battery Alliance , we are on a mission to achieve a sustainable battery value chain in Europe . By locating the site in France , we can produce batteries with a carbon footprint nearly four times lower than that of China . France also boasts a highly-skilled workforce and industry players across the entire value chain .” ◊

54 Issue 20 www . intelligentdatacentres . com