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Published on 20.12.2022 
As the second group to choose Hauts-de-France for the development of its gigafactory, AESC is one of the pioneers in the Battery Valley.
Its setting up in the Douai sector represents a colossal investment of 2 billion euros and the creation of 2,500 jobs by 2030.
This project is part of the EU’s effort to relocate battery production, a strategic sector for the automotive industry‘s future.
It also marks a decisive step towards establishing a French center of excellence.
🔎 Find out more about the project’s advancement
The state-of-the-art site will be dedicated to the manufacture of electrodes, cells and battery modules for various applications:
The location selection process for this gigafactory was particularly competitive.
The Hauts-de-France region was in direct competition:
👉Like AESC, discover seven reasons to choose Hauts-de-France for your development
In the north of France, you can find all the components you need to grow a complex industry like ours. So I encourage people to come and give it a try.
Ayumi Kurose– Project Director France Battery Manufacturing Plant – Envision AESC
In response to the boom in the electric mobility market, Renault aims to reach 90% of electric vehicle sales by 2030.
The Group was therefore seeking a partner for the production of batteries for electric vehicles that will be assembled at its Douai site, particularly for the R5.
This partnership was therefore decisive in AESC’s decision to set up in Hauts-de-France.
This large-scale European project has received support from the French government and the Hauts-de-France region through their respective agencies, Business France and Nord France Invest.
Their tailored support, together with the ‘Investir en Hauts-de-France’ network, was decisive on several levels:
This support, which is 100% confidential, customized and free of charge, illustrates Nord France Invest’s commitment to facilitating the setting up of international investors in the Hauts-de-France region.
We had a great support from the Region, form the local authorities, and so on in developing our industry.
Thank to them, a lot of things are moving ahead today starting with permits and authorizations but also employment and general attractiveness.
Ayumi Kurose– Project Director France Battery Manufacturing Plant – Envision AESC
Do you want to develop your business in the region? Support for your project from professionals in the Hauts-de-France region starts here.
We’ll get back to you as soon as possible to answer any questions you may have about your development project.
Envision AESC’s setting up project followed a precise timeline, demonstrating that regional stakeholders are able to support large-scale industrial projects:
April. Discovery of the project via Business France Shanghai and submission of an initial dossier that presented the advantages of the Hauts-de-France region.
2020
July. Initial discussions between AESC, local partners, and Nord France Invest teams, followed by the provision of additional sector-specific and technical information.
2020
November. Start of discussions with the Renault group.
2020
December. Virtual tours of potential sites and videoconferences with local partners (Grand Port Maritime de Dunkerque, DREAL, RTE, etc.).
2020
April. Second visit to sites in Dunkirk.
2021
June. Official announcement of the strategic partnership between Renault and the AESC Group at the Choose France Summit, in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, Regional President Xavier Bertrand, Renault CEO Luca de Meo and Envision’s CEO.
2021
June to January 2022. Preliminary consultation phase.
2021
July. Launch of initial recruitment campaigns.
2022
October. Official creation of AESC France.
2022
November. Start of construction work.
2022
September. Official signing of the deed of sale for the land between the Douai Metropolitan Area and the company.
2023
August. First production line goes into operation.
2024
January. The European Commission authorizes 48 million euros in French aid to support the project.
2025
March. Start of battery production for the electric Renault 5.
2025
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