Gotion Commissions 10 GWh Battery Gigafactory in Morocco's Kenitra Free Zone

Gotion High-Tech is finalizing commissioning of the first battery gigafactory in Africa, sited in Morocco's Kenitra Atlantic Free Zone. The first industrial phase carries 10 GWh of annual manufacturing capacity, with a gradual increase to 100 GWh planned in the long term.

The plant uses cathode-to-cell technology built around lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, according to pv magazine, and is aimed at automotive and stationary storage applications.

A memorandum of understanding signed in 2023 set the estimated investment cost at MAD 65 billion, almost USD 7 billion.

The African Development Bank has extended a EUR 100 million loan to the project, ESS News reported, and plans to mobilize up to EUR 141 million in further financing from partner institutions under the New African Financial Architecture for Development initiative.

"Batteries produced in Kenitra will primarily supply automotive manufacturing plants in Morocco and southern Europe through existing regional supply chains," said Gotion Power Morocco President Khalid Qalam.

Reaching the stated long-term target of 100 GWh would mean a tenfold expansion from the opening 10 GWh phase. The same LFP cell lines are directed at two end markets, automotive packs and stationary storage, under the cathode-to-cell process described by pv magazine.