National Grid is currently undertaking a significant engineering project to support the United Kingdom’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility in Somerset. The project aims to provide the necessary power infrastructure for the 40 gigawatt-hour (GWh) factory being developed at the 620-acre Gravity Smart Campus near Bridgwater.
The facility, operated by Agratas, a subsidiary of Tata Group’s global battery business, is scheduled to commence operations in 2026. It is projected to create approximately 4,000 skilled green technology jobs and supply nearly 50% of the batteries required by the UK automotive sector by the early 2030s.
To ensure a stable power supply for the multi-billion-pound production plant, National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) is constructing two interim 33kV connections. These connections will support the Agratas site until the completion of a high-voltage 400kV substation by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET).
Energy Minister Michael Shanks highlighted the project’s importance, noting its role in generating clean energy jobs and contributing to the country’s industrial growth. He emphasized that the Clean Power Action Plan facilitates essential grid capacity enhancements to expedite connections for critical projects like the Somerset battery factory.
Construction is progressing on the initial NGED connection, which involves establishing a new bulk supply point at Dunwear. This includes the installation of two 132/33kV transformers and circuit breaker bays near an existing grid supply. Additionally, five miles of cables are being laid from the Bridgwater substation to the Gravity switchroom, utilizing pre-existing routes to accommodate future demands.
Cordi O’Hara, President of NGED, stated that the Agratas facility is a catalyst for regional economic development and the broader electrification of transport in the UK. Similarly, John Twomey, Director of Customer Connections at NGET, emphasized the project’s role in unlocking economic growth and decarbonizing transport.
Jefferson Weber, Head of UK Construction for Agratas, underscored the critical nature of the electrical connections being developed by National Grid, asserting that reliable energy supply is essential for the factory’s operations and the achievement of Agratas’ objectives.
Site preparations at the Agratas Somerset facility are advancing, with the completion of piling operations and the establishment of key infrastructure such as construction access roads and site cabins. The project marks the latest major grid connection initiative by National Grid, supporting the increasing demand from the EV sector and contributing to an estimated 30% rise in annual industrial electricity demand in the UK by 2035.
Source: National Grid
