The multi-billion-pound facility near Bridgwater 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.
Construction delivery is in three phases. Building One comprises the design and construction of a new lithium-ion battery facility, ancillary buildings and site wide external works.
Work began recently on the steel erection, marking the start of superstructure works for the project. Steel installation will now progress over the footprint of the main building before the focus moves to the ancillary buildings and the following cladding and roofing works.
April - May 2026
Construction at Agratas continues with the longer daylight hours and warmer weather enabling good progress to be made on the superstructure of the main manufacturing centre, Building One, the Energy Centre that sits immediately to the east and other ancillary and support buildings. Since we made the planned improvements to the site access, services and temporary services, we have seen the site population increase and the new construction offices and welfare facilities have swung into action. We expect the site workforce to continue to climb into the summer period where we will have circa 800 people on site as we move into Q3 2026.
Works moving forward over the summer will consist of:
Continuation of external works, roads, footways and other hard standing areas.
Substantial completion of Steel Frame works to the ancillary support buildings and internal secondary steelwork within Building One.
Substantial completion of the cladding and roofing envelope works to Building One, the Energy Centre and the commencement of cladding to the ancillary support buildings.
Commencement of the ground floor concrete slab to Building One and conclusion of the upper mezzanine concrete floor slabs.
Provision of specialist external works hardware such as Dock Levellers and Sectional Doors and Shutters.
Commencement of internal Fitout works including specialised Clean & Dry Room facilities, operational areas and control facilities, staff welfare areas and the provision of access routes through plant rooms and associated areas.
Offsite DFMA works continuing, including the Mechanical and Electrical modules that allow fast-track site appointment and M&E fitout ahead of commissioning.
Procurement of significant MEP trade contracts including long-lead items of plant and hardware.
November saw the launch of Sir Robert McAlpine's Supply Chain web portal, where businesses can complete an Expression of Interest form and email Supply Chain directly, to apply for future work packages available on the Agratas site.
As an Agratas follow up event, the Portal was showcased at both Somerset & Sedgemoor Chamber of Commerce Events, where we walked their members through the portal informing them of how to register their EOI.
Thank you to Roger Smith, David Crew & Nick Cooper for all their support in the launch of the Portal.
Community information or enquiries:
Community line - 0333 566 1122 or email agratas.community@srm.com
Supply chain enquiries: agratassupplier@srm.com
Monday – Friday: (07:00 – 19:00)
Saturdays – (07:00 -18:00)
Sunday – (10:00 - 17:00)
If you are interested in playing a key part in a technically challenging and nationally significant project that will help accelerate the UK transition to net zero, then Agratas is the project for you. Please register your interest.
The project’s Social Return on Investment (SROI) is a result of local employment, charity work, education talks and work experience programmes. Since the start of work on site we have been working towards delivering the following to contribute to the SROI:
We look to maximise social value on all of our projects to leave a positive lasting legacy within the communities we work with. At Agratas, this includes supporting both educational initiatives and businesses through partnerships locally within Sedgemoor, the wider county and the South West.
The Agratas site team delivered an incredible amount of food to the Bridgwater Food Bank, to support the local community this Christmas. A huge effort has been made with Agratas, Sir Robert McAlpine, TClarke, Toureen Group, NG Bailey, Leather & Lace Caterers, Severfield & Churngold Construction Ltd all taking part in raising funds for both the Food Bank & 'Christmas Jumper Day' raising over £1,800.00 in cash donations + more food!
Bridgwater Food Bank were amazed by the size of the donations and sent a huge thank you to all involved and stated what a huge impact this will make on the Bridgwater community.
Well done everyone involved, an incredible effort, Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.
Our school engagement continues with Agratas and Graphic Science engaging in STEM activities locally.
A follow up session from watching the Agratas drone being flown, to the students now mapping out a flight path and flying smaller drones in their groups, in Puriton's Sport Hall. An excellent session with 'GeoConnected' who supplied and delivered the fun drone activity, through their local STEM delivery business.
Sir Robert McAlpine and Agratas partnered with Somerset Sustainable Futures on a project which provided a group of Year Eight pupils with an insight into sustainability and green skills within the construction and manufacturing sectors.
The students were given an overview of construction on the development, in part through drone footage showing the scale of the site, which they found very interesting.
We are looking to build on the success of this initial event over the next 18 months with a further five sessions planned to help embed the STEM learning programme, informing and inspiring pupils at local schools, with a focus on green skills and career opportunities.
To maximise supply chain opportunities for local business, we have already held two ‘Meet the Supplier’ events. This was followed by an open meeting with Constructionline, an online platform that connects buyers and suppliers in the sector, to help local businesses understand the process of tendering in the construction industry. This was met with positive feedback and resulted in the establishment of a dedicated email for supplier enquiries, monitored by our Procurement Manager. The next step in our commitment to local businesses will see the launch of a supply chain portal which will allow firms to engage directly with our supply chain throughout the build.
