Supporters of the West Midlands gigafactory, now known as Greenpower Park, are calling on the next UK Government to take swift and decisive action to attract more battery investment. They emphasize the urgent need to expand the UK’s skills and infrastructure to meet the growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and other energy storage solutions.
Located at Coventry Airport within the West Midlands Investment Zone, Greenpower Park has secured planning consent for a £2.5 billion EV battery plant. It is also expected to draw supply chain companies, positioning the region as a hub for battery innovation. Advocates highlight the strategic importance of securing domestic battery production, comparing it to the UK’s ramp-up in steel production during the mid-20th century.
Despite having one operational gigafactory, Envision AESC, which produces 6 GWh annually, the UK faces significant challenges. The Faraday Institution estimates that 100 GWh of battery capacity will be needed annually by 2030 to support EV manufacturing, with demand potentially doubling by 2040 across sectors like aviation and energy storage.
Richard Moore, Greenpower Park’s battery strategy specialist, warned of severe risks to the UK’s energy security if action isn’t taken promptly. Coventry Council’s cabinet member Jim O’Boyle called for the next Government to prioritize battery sector development as part of a broader industrial strategy, aiming to attract global manufacturers and secure the electrification supply chain.
The project, a joint venture between Coventry City Council and Coventry Airport Ltd, is supported by organizations including the West Midlands Combined Authority, Warwick University, and the Manufacturing Technology Centre. The region is already regarded as the UK’s center for electrification skills and battery R&D, but advocates stress that accelerated government support is crucial to maintaining this momentum.