Written question WQ84586
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Economy
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 12 days
Question
Will the Minister outline reasons why the St Athan site could not be delivered to Britishvolt's timescale for a gigafactory?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Economy
Welsh Government officials were in active dialogue with the Britishvolt management team during 2020/21 about their plans to establish a battery plant for electric vehicles and their interest in St Athan. The relevant UK Government agencies were also involved in this engagement. UK sourcing of EV batteries is of critical importance for our automotive manufacturing industry.
After due diligence the company selected a site in Blythe, NE England, as being better served with infrastructure to meet their timetable for their first battery facility. We continue to invest in St Athan to prepare it for a range of potential users, including a battery facility and will market it to relevant interested parties.
The First Minister will write to you separately in respect of your question on a report into the Welsh Government’s handling of the Britishvolt gigafactory.
No assessments have been made on any potential losses that would be made to the Welsh economy as a result of the gigiafactory not being located in St Athan.