An agreement has been reached between Cox Abengoa and Gotion, a company with ties to the Volkswagen Group, to invest about EUR 250 million in the production of energy storage batteries. The project will be centered at the Utrera facility in Seville, Spain, where the plan includes adding roughly 80 new jobs as part of the expansion. The core aim is to manufacture and assemble batteries used to store electrical energy, with a focus on components destined for electric vehicles supplied to Volkswagen and its vehicle lineup. (Source: Company press communications and regional economic briefings)
Speaking from Shanghai during a press briefing, Enrique Riquelme, the president of the group, outlined that the collaboration goes beyond simply purchasing Gotion products. He described a joint effort that includes sharing technology, integrating storage products, and co-developing systems for electric vehicle storage applications. This signals a broader, technology-driven alliance rather than a straightforward supply contract. (Source: Corporate remarks in Shanghai)
The investment will be implemented in multiple phases over the next 18 to 24 months. A key objective is to sustain the growth of high-quality employment in Seville and to foster local talent through targeted training initiatives. This phased approach also allows the company to align production capacity with market demand while building a skilled workforce in the region. (Source: Economic development notes and regional planning statements)
The announcement emerged during the official visit of the President of the Andalusian regional government, who highlighted it as a clear sign of Abengoa’s revival. The visit also featured a separate agreement with a Chinese firm to develop hydrogen production technology, underscoring a broader push toward clean energy and green technology. (Source: Regional government communications and the accompanying trip report)
From a strategic viewpoint, the leadership position in energy storage is seen as a cornerstone of the region’s renewable energy strategy. Andalusia is described as a major producer of renewable energy, and this investment aims to build the necessary capacity to store electricity efficiently. The regional leadership envisions storage technologies as essential for both current energy diversification and future grid resilience. (Source: Government remarks and industry analyses)
The regional president stressed that this investment will position Andalusia at the forefront of energy storage, not only within Spain but across Europe. He framed the move as a significant step toward industrial optimism, reinforcing the belief that the region can lead in storage solutions that complement abundant renewable generation. (Source: Official statements during a regional address)