Sir Robert McAlpine wins Somerset gigafactory contract

Sir Robert McAlpine has been appointed to construct Building One at Agratas' £4bn battery cell manufacturing facility near Bridgwater in Somerset. 

Agratas, Tata Group’s global battery business, said in February it would build the gigafactory on the Gravity Smart Campus.

Building One and ancillary development comprises 244,710 sqm GEA of built area, more than 35% larger than Wembley Stadium which covers approximately 180,000 sqm GEA.

Sir Robert McAlpine will now start preparations for the development, which is scheduled to be operational in 2026. 

Preparatory works have been under way at the site for several months, with piling for Building One expected to commence in the coming weeks.

An extensive tender process saw Sir Robert McAlpine and competing firms assessed on the quality of their bids in relation to cost, capability, experience, sustainability and collaborative working. 

Sir Robert McAlpine has now been appointed on a stand-alone pre-construction services agreement.

Joe Hibbert, vice president for capital projects at Agratas, said: “The beginning of this partnership with Sir Robert McAlpine is another pivotal moment for our nationally significant project.

“The team brings an unrivalled commitment to technical excellence, client service, sustainability and exemplary project delivery, and most importantly, they live and breathe our shared vision of placing community at the heart of everything we do.”

Grant Findlay, executive managing director for buildings, Sir Robert McAlpine, added: “Across our 155-year history, we have always been at the forefront of industrial change in the UK. This is why we are proud to be working with Agratas as its preferred delivery partner.

“We are aligned in our ambitions for making a long lasting, positive impact on local communities, guided by our vision to construct a better world for future generations.”

Once all phases of construction are complete, the facility is set to be the biggest of its kind in the UK and by the early 2030s will contribute almost half of the projected battery manufacturing capacity required for the UK automotive sector.

The development of Building One will require approximately 2,100 construction roles at peak times, many across Tier 3 and 4 of the supply chain.

Together, Agratas and Sir Robert McAlpine will deliver a Workforce Development Strategy to realise a local first approach, prioritising surrounding communities and fostering strong regional 

Earlier this year Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, was selected to provide integrated design services for Agratas for the facility.