FREYR AS announces plans to build a 32 GWh battery cell production f acility in Mo I Rana, Norway

FREYR AS, a Norwegian Incorporated Company announces its intention to build a 32 GWh battery facility in Mo I Rana, Norway combined with the development of up to a 600 MW onshore wind-park at Sjonfjellet in Rana and Nesna municipalities.

European demand for battery cells will exceed 300 GWh by 2025, driven by accelerating electrification of transportation solutions by European car manufacturers (OEM). The current absence of any large scale domestic battery cell manufacturing in Europe negatively impacts the ability to deliver against this agenda. The competitiveness of European OEMs and stationary storage service providers are under pressure, and there are deep strategic efforts to mitigate the situation.

FREYR is developing a 32 GWh battery-cell facility (so called Giga-factory), one of the largest in Europe, based on 100% renewable energy in Rana Municipality in Nordland County. Associated with the battery facility FREYR also intends to develop up to 600 MW onshore wind-park on Sjonfjellet in Rana and Nesna municipality. FREYR will produce a wide array of Lithium Ion Battery (LIB) cell products, based on proven technology, powered by hydroelectric and wind power.

FREYR’s products targets the exponentially growing demand for LIB-cells for the Automotive, Maritime, Stationary Storage and other select niche markets in Europe based on a suite of competitive advantages of producing these in Norway.

FREYR also partners with SINTEF, one of the largest, independent research organisations in Europe, and NTNU, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The intention is to develop the basis for the most energy efficient, green and ethically responsible battery cell production globally. This initial multi-stakeholder partnership is also intending to build a broader coalition of stakeholders who want to join the emerging battery cell production-based R&D cluster in Norway. This cluster will target fundamental and applied research verticals to provide competitive advantage and hence drive demand for energy efficient battery cells produced in the Nordic region. This emerging consortium will invite in other relevant industrial and financial stakeholders in Norway and the Nordic region.

“This ambitious plan represents a golden opportunity to increase value creation in Norway from the shift to batteries”, says SINTEF’s CEO Alexandra Bech Gjørv. “Our aim is to combine SINTEF’s internationally recognized competence in materials development for energy conversion, our advanced laboratory facilities for technology verification, and SINTEF’s experience within lean production and techno-economic assessments to make FREYR’s ambitions a success. We see this co-operation partly as a result of SINTEF’s representation in the region through our regional office, SINTEF Helgeland in Mo i Rana”, adds Gjørv.

“Through the NTNU Battery Initiative, we will contribute both basic research and highly qualified relevant candidates”, says Johan Hustad, Director of NTNU Energy. “NTNU has contributed knowledge, technology and candidates for the energy industry for more than a hundred years. Norway is at the forefront of the energy transition in terms of technology development. We believe it is of great importance to contribute to Europe’s independence in battery cell production. We have clean electricity, and can make sure the footprint of the production, both in terms of CO2 emissions, and ethical production, is good. We believe this is a great opportunity to build industry, create income, and at the same time contribute to climate solutions”, concludes Hustad.

FREYR furthermore announces that is seeking to enlarge this partnership with InnoEnergy, the innovation engine for sustainable energy across Europe supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, which has invested in more than 400 innovative cases since 2010, of which more than 30 are in storage applications and technologies.

“FREYR and InnoEnergy are totally aligned in supporting the accelerated transition to a net zero carbon emission system in Europe”, says Diego Pavia, CEO of InnoEnergy. “The potential collaboration will drive towards promoting and implementing solutions that relates to decarbonising transportation and key industrial sectors through a multi-faceted partnership supporting the development of large-scale sustainable battery cell production facilities in Norway”, Pavia concludes.