Norway’s battery startup, Morrow, has recently inaugurated the country’s first battery cell production site in Arendal, on the south coast. The company plans to begin delivering its battery units by the end of this year and gradually increase production over time. Norway aims to tap into the battery cell production industry, capitalizing on its access to green power and its proximity to European customers seeking alternatives to Chinese manufacturers.
Morrow Batteries, established in 2020, will initially utilize existing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology. The battery cell plant in Arendal is Europe’s first gigawatt LFP factory. CEO Lars Christian Bacher emphasized the importance of starting battery sales by the end of the year. The company has already secured a delivery agreement with Nordic Batteries, a company specializing in customized storage solutions, for 5.5 gigawatt hours (GWh) over a period of seven years.
During the initial months, Morrow Batteries will focus on refining their production process, enhancing quality, and attaining stable battery cell production. Bacher highlighted the significance of addressing any challenges at the start-up phase rather than encountering problems once stable production has been achieved. Each of Morrow’s battery cells has a capacity of 340 watt-hours and weighs 2 kilograms. The annual output of the factory, amounting to 1 gigawatt hour, is equivalent to approximately 3 million units. This capacity is sufficient to equip around 20,000 smaller electric cars, which typically have a battery capacity of 50 kilowatt hours (kWh), as noted by Andreas Maier, Morrow’s chief operating officer.
However, despite the promising developments, Morrow Batteries currently lacks agreements with car manufacturers due to the small initial production volumes. Bacher stated that it would take several years for the company to qualify as a battery supplier for automotive companies. Nevertheless, Morrow has ambitious plans for expansion, with the aim of adding three more facilities at the Arendal site by 2029. These additional facilities will each have an annual capacity of 14 GWh.
Notable early investors in Morrow Batteries include local utility A Energi, engineering firms ABB and Siemens, Danish pension funds PKA, and the Norwegian state-owned green investment firm Nysnoe. With such support and the country’s commitment to transitioning to sustainable energy solutions, Morrow Batteries is well-positioned to establish itself as a leading player in the European battery cell production market. The company’s focus on LFP technology aligns with the growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly energy storage solutions.
