National Grid has launched a major infrastructure project to connect the UK's largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility to the power grid. The multi-million-pound effort will ensure reliable energy supply for the factory, set to open in 2026 at the Gravity Smart Campus in Somerset .
The facility, operated by Agratas , a Tata Group company, is expected to provide nearly half of the UK's required EV batteries by the early 2030s, creating 4,000 highly skilled jobs. Powering such an energy-intensive site requires significant grid upgrades , with a key focus on high-capacity transformers .
To meet demand, National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) is installing two 132/33kV transformers at a new bulk supply point in Dunwear . These will serve as an interim solution until a new 400kV substation , to be built by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) in Woolavington , is completed. Additionally, five miles of underground cables will connect the Bridgwater bulk supply point to the Gravity site, utilizing an existing infrastructure route.
Cordi O'Hara , President of NGED, highlighted the project's significance:
"This investment ensures energy is delivered where it is needed most, supporting regional growth and the UK's clean energy ambitions."
As construction progresses, Jefferson Weber , Head of UK Construction at Agratas , emphasized the importance of the transformer installation and grid connection :
"A stable and efficient power supply is critical to our operations. National Grid's work will help us achieve our ambitious goals for EV battery production in the UK."
This project is part of National Grid's broader £30 billion investment to enhance the UK's energy infrastructure, ensuring the grid can support increasing industrial demand.
Source: nationalgrid.com
