Leading energy storage firm GivEnergy officially opened its first UK manufacturing facility in a high-profile ceremony.
Amanda Solloway, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Aaron Bell MP were present at the launch on Chemical Lane, Stoke-on-Trent.
The new factory, which will primarily manufacture commercial energy storage systems, is part of a £15 million investment in two sites at the location including a warehouse.
Initially 10 to 15 new jobs will be created in engineering, warehousing and R&D in addition to the 20 employees already sited on the premises.
Longer-term, as the Commercial Energy Storage department scales up, there are likely to be twice as many.
It is planned to supplement the production of energy storage systems with manufacture of the company’s smaller products, such as its EV charger.
Meanwhile, the factory will simultaneously repair, recycle, and reuse damaged or old GivEnergy battery systems via a custom-built R&D lab.
Energy-saving is paramount at the new facility with the addition of solar panels and the use of its own commercial energy storage system to ensure it is net positive to the grid.
Also present at the opening were key figures from Octopus Energy, E.ON Energy, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Keele and Staffordshire Universities, Beat the Cold charity and renewables wholesale companies.
Jason Howlett, CEO of Newcastle-under-Lyme-based GivEnergy Group, said: “We’re absolutely passionate about turning North Staffordshire into a centre of excellence for the renewables industry.
“This new manufacturing site is just one part of that mission. We’ve already invested substantially in the region over the past 18 months with a new HQ, additional property acquisitions, and heavy recruitment drives.
“Now, we’re thrilled to be able to continue fostering economic growth and creating highly-skilled job opportunities via a British manufacturing facility.”
Aaron Bell, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, said: “I was thrilled to be asked to open this amazing new facility which will genuinely have a great impact on people’s lives.
“GivEnergy are a fantastic entrepreneurial business which has grown amazingly over these last few years. Their battery technology can lift people out of fuel poverty with greener energy, and they are working at pace with charities and Government to achieve that.”
