Construction of Agratas’s £4 billion gigafactory at the Gravity enterprise zone between Puriton and Woolavington in Somerset continues to move forward, with the first phase, known as ‘Building One’, expected to be operational by the end of 2027.
A key environmental consideration surrounding the project has been the sourcing of water for cooling and operations. The Huntspill River, situated north of the site, was historically constructed in 1940 to supply water for the site’s former Royal Ordnance Factory and remains a vital flood defence in the county.
The region has recently faced concerns over water availability, intensified by a dry spell and a hosepipe ban issued by Wessex Water. There were public worries that significant infrastructure projects like the gigafactory might impact local water supplies and river conditions.
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In response, Agratas has committed not to use the Huntspill River for cooling the facility, either during construction or operational stages. Instead, the company has secured a direct water supply from Wessex Water, a primary regional utility provider.
The Huntspill River receives water from two parts of the River Brue catchment-the South Drain and the Cripps River-and flows through a network of pumping stations and under key highways before joining the Bristol Channel. The Somerset Rivers Authority has identified the river for potential improvements, including managing water levels ahead of floods to aid local water management.
Agratas estimates the facility will require between 190,000 and 450,000 cubic metres of water annually at full production. A company spokesperson explained that a peak water supply rate of up to 14.5 litres per second has been secured from Wessex Water for Building One. Wessex Water has confirmed sufficient capacity in its network to support this demand without needing new water sources.
Significant design modifications have been introduced to limit impact on local water supplies. Building One incorporates water-efficient technologies such as water storage tanks, recycling systems, and closed-loop cooling. Additionally, removing steam boilers and other process improvements have reduced projected water consumption by approximately 19% compared to original plans.
Agratas emphasises its commitment to responsible water management and collaboration with regulatory bodies. The company has worked closely with local utilities and stakeholders to ensure the project’s water consumption does not adversely affect nearby residents or businesses.
Meanwhile, Wessex Water is in early planning phases for a second Cheddar reservoir, coordinating with other regional water companies to enhance water resource resilience across the West Country.
Overall, the Somerset gigafactory project demonstrates a strong focus on sustainable water use alongside its economic and industrial development goals.