Arendal, Norway- Norway's Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, inaugurated Morrow Batteries' gigawatt-scale LFP battery factory in Arendal, Europe's first of its kind. The factory will produce up to 3 million battery cells annually. Test production is already underway, with commercial output set to begin by the end of the year. Morrow is thrilled to celebrate this milestone just two years after the cornerstone was laid. The plant is Europe's first gigafactory for Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries.
Mr. Lars Christian Bacher, CEO of Morrow Batteries, said, "This is a hugely important day in Norwegian industrial history and a testament to the bold vision and risk-taking spirit of our founders and the dedication of our diverse team of Morrowers, now consisting of 200 individuals from 34 nationalities. Our achievements today would not have been possible without the unwavering support from the Arendal municipality, local and national government, and our committed shareholders. Together, we are paving the way for a sustainable energy future to make Europe more competitive and safer".
"As a result of the efforts put in by many, Arendal has become the first city in Europe to host a giga LFP factory, contributing jobs, value-creation, and positioned for significant export revenues. We look forward to delivering the first commercial batteries to customers by the year's end, " he adds.
LFP batteries are becoming essential for a zero-emission society, dominating Battery Energy Storage Systems, heavy-duty machinery, and mid-range electric vehicles. Since November, Morrow has shipped thousands of LFP sample cells for customer testing and validation, now offering a competitive, commercially viable product.
Norway's strong industrial track record, engineering expertise, renewable energy access, and skilled labor make it ideal for battery manufacturing. Over 366,000 working hours and 1,650 HSE-trained workers were involved in constructing the factory, with no accidents reported. The Morrow Cell Factory, the first of four planned in Arendal, will employ around 150 people on a shift schedule.