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Credit: Insider Media

The government has backed plans for the 30GWh Britishvolt Gigafactory in Blyth which is expected to create in excess of 3,000 jobs.

Britishvolt has received an offer of government funding through the Automotive Transformation Fund for the Gigafactory which, once complete, will produce enough batteries for more than 300,000 electric vehicles each year.

The project is planned to be built in three phases, each of 10GWh to a total capacity of 30GWh.

The support from the government will help unlock a significant amount of further support from private investors.

The project is also expected to create 3,000 direct highly-skilled jobs, and another 5,000 indirect jobs in the wider supply chain.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

“Britishvolt’s plan to build a new gigafactory in Northumberland is a strong testament to the skilled workers of the North East and the UK’s place at the helm of the global green industrial revolution.

“Backed by government and private sector investment, this new battery factory will boost the production of electric vehicles in the UK, whilst levelling up opportunity and bringing thousands of new highly-skilled jobs to communities in our industrial heartlands.”

Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng added:

“Today’s news is a major boost for Britain and a resounding vote of confidence in the North East economy.

“Britishvolt’s planned gigafactory will not only enable the UK to fully capture the benefits of a booming electric vehicle market, but will bring thousands of highly-skilled, well-paid jobs to the North East.

“In this global race between countries to secure vital battery production, this government is proud to make the investment necessary to ensure UK’s retains its place as one of the best locations in the world for auto manufacturing.”

Minister for investment Lord Grimstone said:

“Our support for Britishvolt’s gigafactory is not only set to bring new jobs to the people of Northumberland, but by unlocking huge amounts of additional investment, we are helping to turbocharge the local economy. All of which will not only transform Blyth, but also help us build the batteries that will power our electric vehicles for a cleaner, greener future.”