Tesla’s Megapack factory in China, part of its Gigafactory Shanghai site, is poised to commence construction this month after facing delays since initial groundwork began in March 2024.
Tesla’s resident drone operator at Giga Shanghai, WuWa, provided insights into the progress at the Megapack Factory, explaining the pause in construction following the initial activity in March. “In April this year, the Tesla Shanghai Megapack factory site, which had been relatively quiet, saw the arrival of excavators and bulldozers, signaling the official start of construction. However, after a few days of initial activity, including clearing the original concrete floor and sheds, there was no further construction activity.”
WuWa elaborated, “On April 22nd, Chinese media reported that the Tesla Shanghai Megapack factory is scheduled to start construction in May. It appears that the preliminary work was in preparation for the official start of construction in May.”
Tesla had announced its plans for the new Megafactory in Shanghai in April 2023, with a production target of 10,000 Megapacks per year, equivalent to 40 GWh of energy storage. The company’s earliest anticipated delivery date for Megapacks manufactured in China is Q1 2025.
Recruitment efforts for the Shanghai Megafactory began shortly after Tesla’s announcement in 2023, with the company actively seeking personnel on Weibo.
The Megafactory in China is expected to serve as a significant export hub, similar to Tesla’s Giga Shanghai for vehicle exports to neighboring Asian countries, parts of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Tesla’s Megapacks have played a crucial role in Australia’s clean energy sector, with Neoen recently announcing that Tesla Megapacks would be integral to expanding the Collie Battery to become Australia’s largest battery at 560 MW/2,240 kWh. The Collie Battery is poised to facilitate Collie’s transition from coal power to renewable energy.