Huseyin GOKCE /ANKARA
The countdown has begun for Koç Holding’s 32 billion lira battery investment. The EIA process has been completed in the lithium battery cell and battery factory to be established for electric vehicles on an area of 532 thousand square meters in Ankara. With the completion of the EIA process, the allocation agreement was signed in Başkent OIZ. 5 thousand 200 people will be employed during the construction phase of the project, which is expected to be completed in 18 months. Ali Koç, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Koç Holding and Chairman of the Board of Ford Otosan, announced in March that the project will go down in history as the first step of the investment that will provide Turkey with a very important global competitive advantage in battery production. The first news about the investment was announced by DÜNYA in November 2021.
While the use of electric cars is becoming widespread in the world and in Turkey, Turkey is preparing to take the domestic electric car TOGG off the production line in order to advance in this field. With the widespread use of electric cars, preparations are underway to meet the demand for battery cells and batteries for electric vehicles with production in Turkey. In this context, the biggest investment will be made by Battery Cell International, which is one of the partners of Koç Holding from Turkey.
Investment preference was Ankara
Regarding the investment, Ali Koç, Deputy Chairman of Koç Holding Board of Directors, Ford Motor Company and SK On Co., Ltd. announced in March this year that it had signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Koç stated that the investment will provide Turkey with a significant global competitive advantage. automotive Its strength in the industry and its leading position in the domestic market, our partner Ford’s trust in us and our country, and SK On Co., Ltd.’s deep-rooted experience reinforce our belief in this project even more.”
EIA report was positive
The investment to be made in the 3rd phase of Başkent OSB in Ankara Sincan will be undertaken by Battery Cell International Battery Production Industry and Supply Ltd. It will be done by. 392 thousand 600 square meters of the investment, which will be realized on a total floor area of 532 thousand square meters, will consist of production area and 41 thousand square meters will consist of auxiliary areas. 330 million lithium-ion battery stacks will be produced annually at the facility. With this production, a battery production cell with a capacity of 45 GWh will be built in the facility. The EIA application made in May for the investment was positive as of September 12. After that, an allocation agreement was signed with Başkent OSB, where the investment will be made. While the investment was still in the planning stage, various alternatives, including Manisa, came to the fore regarding site selection. However, it is stated that the investor company preferred Ankara for the investment location despite the other options offered. While all investment processes are completed, the foundation is expected to be laid in a short time.