Anticipates Battery Manufacturing by 2029, according to Guenther - Aims to manufacture batteries by the year 2029, aspires Günther
The future of Northvolt's battery factory in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, remains uncertain following the Swedish battery manufacturer's bankruptcy in March 2025. The factory, planned to create 3,000 jobs and supply batteries for around one million electric vehicles annually, is currently in a state of limbo.
The state government's information provided to the finance committee of the state parliament before the decisive meeting in January 2024 is now at the centre of a lawsuit by the FDP in Schleswig-Holstein at the state constitutional court. The lawsuit alleges a possible violation of information obligations towards the state parliament.
Despite the financial difficulties, Northvolt continues to forge ahead with a new battery plant near Montreal, indicating ongoing operations elsewhere. However, the status of the Heide plant is still unresolved amidst Northvolt’s financial restructuring.
Daniel Günther, Schleswig-Holstein's Minister-President, remains optimistic. He believes it is still possible to build a battery factory in Heide and aims for battery production in the district of Dithmarschen by 2029 at the latest. Günther is convinced of the concept of a battery factory in the region and is not considering other scenarios.
Europe needs sovereign battery cell production, and Schleswig-Holstein is seen as the best location for this. The state development bank KfW provided around 600 million euros to Northvolt for the planned battery factory construction in Heide through a convertible bond. The federal government and the state of Schleswig-Holstein each guaranteed half of the loan.
Several interested parties from outside Sweden are keen on taking over Northvolt. The region could significantly benefit from battery production, with an excellent industrial site available for setting up a battery production facility.
The cost of Northvolt's insolvency to the taxpayers in Schleswig-Holstein remains unclear. Daniel Günther expects clarity from the insolvency administrator in the coming months, hoping for a solution that will allow for the continuation of the battery factory project in Heide.
In summary, the Northvolt battery production plans for Schleswig-Holstein are currently uncertain, with no clear path forward announced as of late July 2025. The future of the Heide plant is still unresolved amidst Northvolt’s financial restructuring.
- With the EU emphasizing the need for sovereign battery cell production, several EC countries, including Schleswig-Holstein, are eyeing opportunities to establish renewable-energy-focused vocational training programs to support industry growth in the sector.
- To capitalize on the potential benefits that battery production could bring, Schleswig-Holstein is actively pursuing investments in energy technology and finance to develop the necessary expertise in vocational training for the renewable energy industry.
- As tensions surrounding Northvolt's financial instability persist, various interested parties from across Europe are looking to invest in regional vocational training programs for the renewable-energy sector, enhancing the industry's capabilities and attracting new opportunities for growth.
