Nissan has announced plans to substantially expand UK electric vehicle production at its Sunderland plant with a £1bn so-called gigafactory supplied with 100% renewable electricity. Built in partnership with Chinese firm Envision AESC, Nissan said on Thursday that the gigafactory will have a capacity of 9 gigawatt hours a year, enough to produce batteries for 100,000 for electric vehicles (EV) annually. The two firms already collaborate in the manufacture of the short-range Nissan Leaf model at a factory in Sunderland, which has a maximum capacity of 1.7 GWh. As part of the announcment, a 100% renewable-energy microgird – incorporating 10 new solar farms as well as Nissan's existing wind and solar farms – is planned to supply power to the gigafactory. Landmark day Nissan chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta hailed the announcement as “a landmark day for Nissan, our partners, the UK and the automotive industry as a whole”. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that the move represents a “major vote of confidence in the UK and our highly-skilled workers in the North East”. Nissan key to catch up with European rivals Britain’s decision to leave the European Union generated profound fears that Nissan would quit the country for Barcelona. Having committed to maintaining and growing its Sunderland base, the Japanese carmaker finds itself a key player in the UK’s push to catch up with the likes of France and Germany when it comes to EV production. The UK government is thought to have provided some financial backing to support the expansion, however, no exact figure has yet emerged. Not only are German carmakers, such as Volkswagen, stepping up their investment in EV sector, but Berlin was also able to pip London to the post in attracting EV giant Tesla Motors as it searched for a location for its European gigafactory. Politicians and industry-leaders react Following the announcement, UK Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “This is a huge step forward in our ambition to put the UK at the front of the global electric vehicle race, and further proof, if any was needed, that the UK remains one of the most competitive locations in the world for automotive manufacturing.” Mike Hawes, CEO of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, stated: “It also demonstrates the UK automotive industry’s commitment to net zero and that the transition to these new electrified vehicles can be ‘made in Britain.’”