"We're witnessing a consistent ramp-up in production, increasing from delivering thousands of cells per week to our customers to tens of thousands of cells per week currently," says Fredrik Hedlund at Northvolt.
Sunday's Dagens Industri reported on Northvolt's growing production in Skellefteå.
– 2023 was challenging, but 2024 has started very well, Hedlund told Dagens Industri.
– We have a consistent upward trend since late 2023, with weekly production increases. This trend promises significant production growth throughout the year.
In January, Hedlund informed Norran that Northvolt Ett would become a gigafactory (exceeding 1 GWh production) in 2024, aiming for 16 GWh in phase 1. The company also secured 50 billion kronor in loans, including 34 billion kronor in new funds.
Despite facing challenges in 2023, Northvolt Ett has experienced a positive start to 2024, according to the company's leadership.
Elaborating on the improved production, Hedlund said:
– We've achieved more stable processes and flows. But the significant contributor is the on-site team, who are becoming more coordinated, skilled at problem-solving, and adept at process development.
"This process has been an invaluable learning experience for us, one that will expedite and improve not only the commissioning of the rest of this factory but also the construction of future plants," says Fredrik Hedlund.
With phase 1 improving, plans for phase 2, including the massive "Upstream 2" construction, are underway.
– While we progress on various aspects of phase 2, we are also committed to incorporating the lessons and process developments from phase 1, said Hedlund.
Northvolt Ett is becoming a gigafactory, meaning it will produce more than one gigawatt-hour of battery cells in 2024, according to the company.
– This has been an invaluable learning experience, Hedlund concluded.
- It will not only expedite and improve the commissioning of our remaining Skellefteå factory but also benefit future plants under development in Sweden, Germany, and Canada.