Lyten’s CEO Dan Cook visited the planned site of a battery factory near Heide in Schleswig-Holstein on March 16 and discussed the project with state government representatives the following day.
The US-based company aims to acquire the originally planned Northvolt facility and expects to create about 1,000 jobs in the first phase. Cook emphasized that Lyten will produce batteries for multiple sectors, including defense, stationary energy storage, mobility and electric vehicles, distinguishing its strategy from Northvolt’s previous plans.
According to Lyten’s timeline, construction is scheduled to begin next year, with operations set to start in 2028. The project will combine battery cell production, a data center and integrated energy storage solutions. Cook indicated that private financing will cover most of the investment, though Lyten is open to considering public funding if it becomes available.
Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister President expressed optimism about the schedule and noted that coordination with the federal government remains necessary. Cook plans to travel to Berlin for further discussions with federal officials. However, the opposition has pointed out that no binding agreements or signed contracts have been announced, highlighting that the current visit serves as a positive signal rather than a finalized commitment.
On March 16, Cook also met with local officials from the Heide region, including the mayors of Lohe-Rickelshof and Norderwöhrden, and the state’s Minister of Economic Affairs. This introductory meeting was described as an opportunity for regional representatives to learn about Lyten’s approach. The head of the local development agency judged the project feasible, noting that Lyten’s rollout is expected to be more gradual than Northvolt’s original plan. Local leaders welcomed the realistic scope, preferring a steady development over overly ambitious timelines that might not materialize.
Should Lyten finalize the takeover, municipal authorities will need to review and possibly amend zoning plans, as the company envisions an industrial hub rather than a classical battery factory. Northvolt had initially projected up to 3,000 jobs at the site before its insolvency. Lyten announced the takeover of Northvolt’s German subsidiary in August 2025, but completion of that acquisition is still pending regulatory and contractual steps.
Source: NDR
