With the approval of the second local community, the last hurdle for Northvolt’s billion-dollar project in Schleswig-Holstein has been overcome. The new factory is expected to produce batteries for electric cars from 2026.
The way is clear for one of the largest industrial projects in Schleswig-Holstein in decades: The Norderwöhrden local council approved the plans of the Swedish Northvolt to build a battery factory near Heide on Monday.
The second local community, Lohe-Rickelshof, had previously approved the project. The region faces major challenges in expanding the infrastructure, said Norderwöhrden’s mayor Kay Uwe Evers. “For this we urgently need support from the federal and state governments.” But the project also offers great opportunities.
3,000 jobs planned
The Swedish technology company wants to produce battery cells for electric cars in the factory. Production is scheduled to start in 2026. The 4.5 billion euro investment is expected to create 3,000 jobs. A facility for recycling old batteries from discarded electric cars will also be built. “The first wind farm in Germany was once built in Dithmarschen, and now the most sustainable battery cells will soon be built here,” said the managing director of Northvolt in Germany, Christofer Haux.
Last week, Northvolt made its final decision on the location. Some time ago it looked as if construction might be delayed. Northvolt boss Peter Carlsson cited the comparatively high electricity prices in Germany and higher subsidies in the USA as reasons.
On January 8th, the EU Commission cleared the way for funding and guarantees from the federal and state governments amounting to 902 million euros for Northvolt. The federal government is expected to contribute around 564 million euros and Schleswig-Holstein around 137 million euros of the funding.