Tesla is hoping for initial approval for the planned expansion in the first half of 2024. Critics of the expansion had their say at a hearing. The Brandenburg State Environmental Office says what happens next.
The criticism from the hearing on the planned expansion of the Tesla factory in Grünheide should be taken into account when examining the approval. “All authorities are taking the time they need to examine the objections raised and prepare statements,” said Brandenburg State Environment Agency spokesman Thomas Frey on Wednesday. “The decision will be formulated from this at the end.”
There is currently no timetable for this. Tesla hopes that the first partial approval for the expansion will come in the first half of 2024.
The company wants to double production from the targeted 500,000 cars per year to one million per year. According to Tesla, around 250,000 vehicles are currently produced per year. The storage capacity of battery cell production is expected to increase from 50 to 100 gigawatt hours per year. Around 11,000 employees work in Grünheide, and with the expansion this will increase to 22,500. Environmentalists have concerns because the site is partly in a water protection area. The company is submitting three-part applications for environmental approval to the state of Brandenburg for the expansion.
The hearing surprisingly ended on Tuesday after less than two days. At the top there were more than 20 environmental and nature conservationists, residents and others who voiced their criticism in the Erkner town hall. The impact of car and battery factory expansion on groundwater and water consumption were the most contentious issues. On Tuesday it was about pollution with fine dust, light and noise as well as nature conservation. Previously, 1,073 written objections had been received by the State Environment Agency. More than a hundred people attended the hearing three years ago to approve the factory.
Source: Stern
