Federal Minister of Economics Habeck visited a Northvolt research laboratory at the end of a two-day trip to Sweden. As an investment volume in Heide up to 4.5 billion euros are under discussion.
The battery manufacturer Northvolt still sees a lot of need for discussion about the construction of a plant in Heide in Schleswig-Holstein. Northvolt boss Peter Carlsson said on Friday at a meeting with Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) in Västerås, Sweden, that it was important that there was a long-term energy supply at competitive prices from renewable sources. There are also questions of financing. The process is in full swing.
Habeck said they are in good talks with Northvolt. The company has to make the final decision. It’s not just about money alone, but also about infrastructure and personnel. Different pieces of the puzzle have to be put together. “And we’ll try that.”
Carlsson said the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) — a multi-billion dollar US subsidy program — has created momentum. A year ago, Northvolt said it would build in Europe first and then go to North America. Then the IRA came. This has made it all but impossible to compete in North America unless you build manufacturing and a supply chain. Due to the IRA, there is also very strong pressure from both European and American customers. The demand is constantly increasing.
Habeck visited a Northvolt research laboratory at the end of a two-day trip to Sweden. As an investment volume in Heide up to 4.5 billion euros are under discussion.
Source: Stern
