RPS is leading the design for a new gigafactory in Sunderland

We’re supporting AESC’s Design & Build project partner, Wates Group, with design and technical advisory services for the development of the UK’s first at scale gigafactory.

The electric vehicle battery technology company’s new gigafactory will support over 1,000 hi-tech jobs and deliver a six-fold increase in UK electric vehicle battery production. 

When operational in 2025, the plant will have a capacity of 12 GWh and will be powered by 100% Net Zero Carbon energy. The state-of-the-art facility will produce AESC’s latest generation batteries, with 30% more energy density to improve range and efficiency. As well as manufacture batteries to power 100,000 electric vehicles annually. 

The construction of the new building on the IAMP business park, which spans land in South Tyneside and Sunderland, will pave the way for potential future investment. Eventually, the site could generate 35GWh capacity and 4,500 new high-value green jobs.

Our project team is providing integrated multi-disciplinary services, including architecture, site masterplanning, structural and civil engineering, highway engineering, fire engineering, geotechnical engineering, and landscape design. 

We’ve been leading the integrated facility design alongside AESC’s process team from the concept design development, supporting the crucial planning consent process, through to the production of fully detailed construction design.

We are engaging closely with the teams from AESC and Wates Group to develop efficient design solutions, focused on accommodating the sophisticated manufacturing process. 

Optimised design of buildings that house complex operational activities is one of our specialisms. We’ve demonstrated agility in ensuring the project meets AESC’s detailed and specific requirements as well as the design and build needs of Wates Group.

Our participation in the Excellence in Construction, Design & Engineering of Battery Giga Factories conference in Barcelona highlighted the imperative for action in the battery manufacturing sector. Here, we present our key considerations for optimising gigafactory developments.

Please contact our specialist team to discuss future projects in the UK, Europe and North America.

About RPS

Founded in 1970, RPS, A Tetra Tech Company (RPS) is a leading global professional services firm of 5,000 consultants and service providers. Operating in 125 countries, working across six continents we define, design and manage projects that create shared value to a complex, urbanising and resource-scarce world.

RPS delivers a broad range of services in six sectors: property, energy, transport, water, defence and government services and resources. Services provided across RPS' six sectors cover twelve service clusters: project and program management, design and development, water services, environment, advisory and management consulting, exploration and development, planning and approvals, health, safety and risk, oceans and coastal, laboratories, training and communications, creative and digital services.

RPS stands out for its clients by using its deep expertise to solve problems that matter, making them easy to understand. Making complex easy.

For further information, please visit www.rpsgroup.com.