Tata Group’s global battery business Agratas has released new aerial footage showing ongoing construction progress at its £4bn ($5.27bn) battery manufacturing plant in Bridgwater, Somerset, UK.
The site, which spans 308 acres near junction 23 of the M5 motorway, aims to advance clean technology and sustainable energy.
The facility will manufacture battery cells for use in electric vehicles and for storing energy as part of the effort to support UK's energy transition.
Current images highlight progress on ‘Building One’, the first phase of the project, where teams have started work on multiple floor levels.
Workers have already poured 3,000 tonnes of locally sourced concrete to construct the phase's lower and mezzanine decks.
The steel frame for a central utilities building measuring 100m in length has also begun to emerge.
This separate structure will eventually house systems responsible for monitoring and managing functions such as data and power supply across the facility.
Around 450 personnel, including staff from Agratas, supply partners, and construction contractor Sir Robert McAlpine, are now working at the location.
According to Agratas, the initial manufacturing building alone will support more than 2,200 direct jobs and approximately 7,500 roles within the broader supply chain during construction.
Agratas Global Manufacturing Engineering and UK Construction vice-president Chris Love said: “Our project will create many positive opportunities and benefits for Somerset and the South West [England], so we’re hugely proud of the progress our team and partners have made to date.
“It’s exciting to see the facility taking shape, moving us a step closer to delivering sustainable, world-class battery production here in Somerset.”
Construction activity started in 2024 and is scheduled to continue through to 2026.
Recruitment for up to 1,600 operational positions is expected to commence next year to prepare for battery cell production.
Agratas expects that once fully operational, the facility will contribute over £700m each year to the South West’s economy.
Sir Robert McAlpine Industrial Sector managing director Craig Allen said: “We’re proud to be playing a key role in delivering this landmark facility for Agratas. The scale and complexity of the project showcase the very best of UK engineering and collaboration.
“Together, we’re building the foundations for a sustainable future - one that will create jobs in the region, drive innovation, and support the transition to clean energy.”
In July last year, Agratas selected Sir Robert McAlpine as the delivery partner for Building One at the battery manufacturing facility.
