UK's largest electric vehicle battery factory connection initiation by National Grid begins
The National Grid is currently working on connecting the UK's biggest electric vehicle battery factory, located at the 620-acre Gravity Smart Campus in Bridgwater, Somerset. This project forms part of the broader Great Grid Upgrade initiative, a decade-long effort aimed at increasing grid capacity to meet rising demand from sources like electric vehicles.
The connection work is underway following the completion of several major grid connections across the National Grid's transmission and distribution networks. The project involves the construction of new infrastructure, such as the T-pylon near East Huntspill, Somerset, which was built in 2021 to support connections including the Hinkley Point C to Avonmouth link.
The connection of new demand sources, like battery factories, is expected to contribute to an increase in Britain's overall annual electricity demand from industry of around 30% between now and 2035. The factory, run by Tata Group's global battery business Agratas, is due to open in 2026 and is expected to create 4,000 highly skilled green tech jobs. It will contribute almost half of the projected battery manufacturing capacity required for the UK.
John Twomey, Director of Customer Connections at National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), has expressed excitement about the role of the National Grid in unlocking economic growth and creating jobs in the UK through projects like this. The plan includes re-ordering the grid connection queue to free up capacity and accelerate connections for vital projects like this.
The multi-million-pound electrical engineering project is being carried out in stages. Work is underway on the first NGED connection, which will see a new bulk supply point at Dunwear with two 132/33kV transformers. The second connection will see five miles of cables laid from the Bridgwater bulk supply point substation to an Independent Connection Provider switchroom at Gravity.
National Grid is also planning to build a new 400kV transmission substation at Woolavington, with updates to be shared with the community as the project progresses. The factory's electrical connection is being developed by National Grid, which is critical for the operation of the new battery factory in Somerset, according to Jefferson Weber, Head of UK Construction for Agratas.
Key infrastructure, such as a dedicated construction access road and site cabins, is already in place at the Agratas Somerset facility. Groundwork and pile cap activities are ongoing, and more than 16,800 piles have been successfully installed, marking a major milestone in site preparation.
The Clean Power Action Plan aims to deliver a new era of clean electricity, with the most ambitious reforms to the country's energy system in a generation. The connection of the UK's biggest EV battery factory is a significant step towards this goal. For updates on the project's timeline, check the latest National Grid project updates or Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announcements.
The construction of new infrastructure, such as the T-pylon and the upcoming transmission substation at Woolavington, are being built to support connections like the electric vehicle battery factory in Bridgwater, Somerset, demonstrating the critical role of technology in meeting rising demand from sources like electric vehicles. The factory's electrical connection, developed by National Grid, is essential for the operation of the new battery factory in Somerset, highlighting the importance of technology in this project.
