Construction is advancing steadily on Agratas’s new £4 billion gigafactory within the Gravity enterprise zone, located between Puriton and Woolavington in Somerset. The facility, known as ‘Building One’, is anticipated to become operational by the end of 2027.
Agratas has reassured the public that the Huntspill River, situated to the north of the site, will not be utilised for cooling purposes during either the construction phase or when the factory is fully operational. This commitment comes amid recent concerns about local water supplies due to prolonged dry weather and the introduction of a hosepipe ban by Wessex Water.
The Huntspill River, constructed in 1940 to supply water to the Royal Ordnance Factory previously located on the Gravity site, now functions as a key flood defence for the county. It is fed by two branches of the River Brue catchment-the South Drain, passing west of Glastonbury through the Avalon Marshes, and the Cripps River near East Huntspill-before flowing under major transport routes and eventually into the River Parrett.
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The Somerset Rivers Authority has identified the Huntspill River for potential water level management improvements to facilitate flood mitigation. In this context, safeguarding the river’s water quality and levels is a priority.
Agratas estimates that once fully operational, the gigafactory will require between 190,000 and 450,000 cubic metres of water annually, depending on production. However, the company has confirmed that these needs will be met entirely through a direct connection to Wessex Water’s network, which has assured sufficient capacity to support the project’s demand without necessitating any bespoke water sources.
A company spokesperson explained: “We have secured a peak water supply rate of up to 14.5 litres per second from Wessex Water for both construction and operation. Our design incorporates water efficiency measures including storage tanks, recycling systems, and closed-loop cooling technology. Further, process modifications such as the removal of steam boilers have reduced our expected water consumption by approximately 19% compared with initial plans.”
These efforts demonstrate Agratas’s commitment to responsible water stewardship and consideration for the local community. The company is working collaboratively with utility providers and regulatory bodies to ensure that the factory’s water consumption does not adversely affect local residents or businesses.
Meanwhile, Wessex Water is progressing early plans for a second Cheddar reservoir in cooperation with Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, and South West Water, collectively known as West Country Water and Environment (WCWE), to bolster the region’s water resilience.
Agratas’s approach exemplifies a proactive strategy to balance industrial development with environmental and community sustainability in Somerset.