Lyten plans to create around 1,000 jobs at the former Northvolt site in Heide, northern Germany, as it moves forward with plans to revive the stalled battery factory project.
The site in Heide had originally been earmarked for Northvolt’s “Northvolt Drei” facility, which was expected to employ up to 3,000 people before the Swedish company’s financial difficulties halted development. Lyten announced last year its intention to take over Northvolt’s assets in both Sweden and Germany, renewing prospects for the project.
Dan Cook recently presented updated plans to officials in the regional government in Kiel, outlining a more modest approach compared to the original project. The company expects to begin construction in 2027, with battery cell production scheduled to start in 2028.
Cook said the facility will manufacture batteries for a broad range of applications, including defence, stationary energy storage, mobility and electric vehicles, indicating a strategy less dependent on the pace of EV adoption.
In addition to battery cell production, the Heide site is expected to host battery storage systems and data centre operations, expanding its industrial scope.
Daniel Günther welcomed the development, describing the proposed timeline as a positive signal for the region. He said further coordination with Germany’s federal government would be required to address outstanding issues linked to the project.
Negotiations involving the federal government, state development bank KfW and the Schleswig-Holstein authorities are ongoing, particularly concerning the German subsidiary of Northvolt. Lyten has already completed the acquisition of certain Northvolt assets in Sweden, including facilities in Skellefteå and Västerås.