The world is slowly inching towards a more sustainable future, and the US is at the forefront of this movement with President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. With this legislation in place, the clean energy sector has seen a significant uptick in activity, leading to the construction of over 400 gigafactories by 2030 according to a report by Benchmark Source. Each factory would have an annual production capacity of up to nine terawatt-hours, representing a monumental shift towards renewable energy. However, despite the progress made, concerns over overcapacity loom, leading to a call for caution in the industry.
Roger Atkins, CEO @ Electric Vehicles Outlook had a good take on LinkedIn:
There are now 401 gigafactories planned to be in operation by 2030, representing almost nine terawatt hours of annual production capacity, according to Benchmark.
The 400th gigafactory to be added to the pipeline is Tata Group’s £4 billion ($5.2 billion), 40 gigawatt-hour UK-based facility due to begin production in 2026. While the pipeline highlights the accelerating growth of the global battery and electric vehicle industries, there are concerns of overcapacity, especially in China. The country, the world’s largest battery producer, has a large proportion of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cell producers currently unable to access Western EV markets.
“Everyone knows the EV market will be huge in the future – it is a big cake, and everyone wants 50% of that cake, not just 1%,” Albert Li, an analyst at Benchmark, said. “So everyone is expanding, and the new companies want part of it, too.”
And to think, it was only as recently as 2016 that the 1st BIG battery factory to carry that moniker was up and running – Tesla‘s Nevada facility – facilitated in close partnership with Panasonic. Since then, LG, BYD, Samsung SDI, SK On, CALB, Gotion Inc.ATL, EVE, and the mighty Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited aka CATL, together with Panasonic rule the roost…but there are noteworthy global enterprises looking to break into the coveted ‘Top 10 Cell Producers’ nb. January 2023 source data 👉 https://lnkd.in/dYwNWZY4
‘401 Not Found’…
That’s the planned volume – what gets built will inevitably be far less given the burgeoning supply chain challenges….and as to the Winners & Losers amidst the mayhem?
The gigafactory building boom is happening at an unprecedented scale, with more and more companies expressing a desire to get a slice of the renewable energy pie. With 401 planned gigafactories, the industry’s capacity is set to increase manifold, putting the US on the right track to meet its climate goals. Each gigafactory would produce batteries for electric vehicles, with Tesla leading the market. It’s both good news for the environment and the economy, as the construction of these factories will provide a much-needed boost to local communities.
Despite the promise of this growth, concerns loom over whether the industry can sustain the influx of gigafactories. The threat of overcapacity is real, and while the construction of these facilities is necessary, it’s essential to ensure they are operating efficiently. Building too many too quickly can lead to oversupply, which can lead to a reduction in demand and ultimately, lower returns for investors. Thus, it’s crucial to strike a balance between meeting the demand for renewable energy and building factories too quickly, leading to a bottleneck.
There’s also the question of sustainability, as the production of batteries requires a significant amount of resources. Gigafactories consume a vast amount of energy, making them a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. To counter this, manufacturers must invest in sustainable practices and technologies to ensure their factories are as green as possible. The good news is, there’s a growing focus on carbon-neutral production, with companies such as Tesla investing in sustainable power production.
Moreover, there’s a broad consensus among industry experts that the growth of gigafactories is essential for a sustainable future. The electrification of transportation is critical in reducing carbon emissions, which is why the demand for batteries will only increase in the years ahead. Furthermore, the gigafactory boom will inevitably lead to lower battery prices, making electric vehicles more accessible to a broader range of consumers.
The US is entering a new era in renewable energy thanks to the incredible growth of gigafactories. With hundreds of facilities in the pipeline, the country is poised to make significant progress in reducing carbon emissions and achieving its climate goals. However, there are valid concerns about overcapacity, sustainability, and the impact on local communities. As the industry continues to grow, it’s crucial to strike a balance between growth and sustainability, ensuring that factories are operating efficiently and sustainably. With the technology advancing all the time, there has never been a better time to invest in renewable energy and take proactive, collective steps towards a more sustainable future.
