Envision's French Gigafactory Opens: Sino-French Green Cooperation Spearheads Europe's Energy Transition

France - Ekhbary News Agency

Envision's French Gigafactory Opens: Sino-French Green Cooperation Spearheads Europe's Energy Transition

At a crucial juncture where the European continent is accelerating towards a greener future, Envision AESC, the battery technology giant from China, officially commenced production at its battery gigafactory in Douai, northern France, on June 3rd. This landmark event, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, who delivered an impassioned speech, is widely interpreted as another significant achievement in the deep cooperation between China and France in green energy and advanced manufacturing, injecting robust momentum into Europe's industrial revival and energy transition.

The inauguration of the Douai gigafactory represents a flagship project under France's "Choose France" strategy, underscoring the French government's determination to attract leading global technological investments. President Macron, during the opening ceremony, emphasized that Envision AESC's establishment in Douai is not merely a symbolic event for French industrial revitalization and energy transition, but one that will "change the future of the entire region, influencing the lifestyles of the next generation." He hailed the project as powerful proof of France's commitment to achieving "economic growth and sustainable development simultaneously," refuting arguments that questioned France's capability to manufacture batteries domestically, calling the Envision Douai gigafactory the "most powerful response."

According to Envision AESC, the factory's initial annual production capacity will reach 10 GWh, projected to supply high-performance power batteries for approximately 200,000 electric vehicles annually, primarily serving renowned automakers including Renault. This undoubtedly provides a significant boost to the European automotive industry currently undergoing an electrification transformation. More impressively, the factory plans to expand its total production capacity to 24 GWh by 2030, with a substantial potential for further expansion to 40 GWh. Such large-scale battery production capability will significantly enhance France's and Europe's autonomy and competitiveness in the electric vehicle supply chain.

The strategic importance of the Envision Douai gigafactory extends far beyond power battery production. According to plans, the site will also expand into full lifecycle solutions, including energy storage batteries, smart charging facilities, and battery recycling, aiming to establish a complete, end-to-end green energy industrial ecosystem in the northern French region. This means that from battery manufacturing to energy storage, and subsequently to the circular utilization of used batteries, Douai will become an innovation hub comprehensively driving green economic development, creating numerous high-quality job opportunities locally and promoting regional economic diversification.

At the opening ceremony, President Macron made a symbolically rich gesture, contrasting a kerosene lamp, representing the old energy era, with a battery, representing the future of clean energy. This symbolized Douai's transition, from its past as a traditional energy hub, towards an era of clean and smart electricity. He stated that France urgently needs partners like Envision, possessing both technical prowess and a global vision, to jointly lead Europe's energy transition and industrial innovation. This statement underscores the high importance France places on international cooperation, particularly with China in the new energy sector.

Zhang Lei, Chairman of Envision Group, remarked that the inauguration of the French gigafactory undoubtedly injects new vitality into the green transformation of the European automotive industry. He emphasized that Envision, with its mission of a "community with a shared future for mankind," is committed to leveraging China's leading advantages in new energy technology to contribute to global sustainable and prosperous development. Envision AESC has established 13 battery manufacturing bases globally, covering regions such as China, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Spain, making its global strategic layout a crucial force driving the global energy revolution.

The successful commissioning of the Douai gigafactory is not only a crucial step in Envision AESC's global strategy but also sets a new paradigm for China-France cooperation in addressing climate change and promoting green development. In the current context of complex and volatile global geopolitics, such pragmatic cooperation, based on shared interests and a long-term development vision, is particularly valuable. It will not only accelerate the green industrial transformation process in France and indeed Europe but will also make a positive contribution to achieving global carbon neutrality targets, heralding an accelerated arrival of a cleaner, smarter energy future.

Ekhbary News Agency