• The REA’s thoughts are with the staff and affected families in the result of redundancies as Britishvolt files for administration;
• This news highlights the need for an effective UK industrial strategy and supply chain support to capture the huge opportunities of Net Zero; 
• The REA hopes that another player may take up this project, as the location is widely seen as ideal for battery production.

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) notes the collapse of electric vehicle battery maker Britishvolt “a real shame,” as the company today files a notice of its intent to appoint administrators.

Today’s news puts 300 jobs at risk, and the REA’s thoughts are with the staff and affected families in the result of any redundancies.

The company was hoping to build a new £3.8bn battery factory in the Port of Blyth in Northumberland. We hope that another player may take up this project as the location is widely seen as ideal for the production of batteries.

The REA now reiterates its calls for effective UK industrial strategy and supply chain support to maximise UK Net Zero opportunities moving forward.

Frank Gordon, Director of Policy at the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) said:

“The news that Britishvolt has filed for administration is a real shame – this highlights the need for an effective UK industrial strategy and supply chain support (similar to the U.S.’s Inflation Reduction Act) to capture the huge opportunities of Net Zero. Chris Skidmore’s Net Zero Review report made clear the opportunities and imperative of doing so just last week.

“Our thoughts are with the staff and affected families in the result of any redundancies and we hope that another player may take up this project as the location is widely seen as ideal for the production of batteries.

“The UK needs at least three such gigafactories and we must now urgently see progress towards this in order to get to Net Zero.”

—ENDS—