PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Green energy developer Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) on Monday announced plans to expand its battery and electric powertrain production operations in the UK with an additional facility in Oxfordshire.

Fortescue chairperson Andrew Forrest said the expansion was part of Fortescue’s commitment to grow its British presence through the recent integration of iconic British manufacturers WAE, formerly Williams Advanced Engineering.

“With Fortescue’s investment, British engineering will be at the cutting edge of the green energy economy with WAE’s battery systems providing world-leading technology to the entire global industrial sector,” Forrest said.

“It is heartening to have the UK’s Trade Secretary today at our factory in Oxfordshire to support this message of British technology excellence for both its people and its highly attractive working environment.”

Following entry-into-force of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Fortescue will open a new site in Banbury, Oxfordshire, significantly expanding its UK manufacturing capability, supplying advanced batteries and electric powertrains globally.

The new location will be focused on production of a wide range of zero-emission products for the off-road sector including trucks and trains. It will form part of a new global business aimed at driving decarbonisation in all fields of economic activity, while building sovereign capabilities in emerging technology.

The factory will cover over 13 500 m² in total and employ over 120 highly skilled engineers, technicians, apprentices and graduates, with recruitment for the industrialisation programme starting now.

The new Banbury facility will operate alongside Fortescue’s other Oxfordshire facilities including the Kidlington factory which will open later this year. The Banbury site will offer automated assembly for battery modules and packs, assembly of power conversion and power systems, as well as truck and train production support.

The first prototype build is targeted for July or August 2023 with the first mining haul truck module due for completion in August 2023.

The site will officially open in 2024.