Battery cell mega-factory | Northvolt must obtain a “dozen” authorizations

Northvolt will need a “dozen” environmental authorizations from governments to complete its battery cell complex on the South Shore of Montreal. The Swedish company also plans to submit documentation later this year for the portion of its project that will be subject to the Bureau d’audiences publique sur l’environnement (BAPE).

Six months after the cell manufacturer’s $7 billion project was made official, its leaders provided an update on Wednesday in Montreal on what has been accomplished and the next steps to be taken.

In the short term, up to 450 trucks are expected to travel back and forth to the site as part of the construction of the first buildings on the land which straddles the municipalities of Saint-Basile-le-Grand and McMasterville. Northvolt is still awaiting ministerial authorization to move forward.

In the meantime, more than 9,500 dead and living trees will have to be removed on the McMasterville side. In Saint-Basile-le-Grand, more than 14,000 trees suffered from deforestation. Last month, a notice of “non-compliance” was sent to the multinational by the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) for having cleared a marsh that was not shouldn’t have been.

Northvolt’s immense $7 billion complex will notably affect 13 hectares of wetlands. The place is also home to a nesting area for the least bittern, a bird considered a vulnerable species whose presence has been detected three times since 2016. Common amphibians have also been observed, as well as the spiny softshell turtle.

The first phase of the table site on the production of cathode materials (the positive pole of a battery) as well as cells. This aspect of the project will not be subject to the BAPE procedure. However, the portion dedicated to battery recycling will have to submit to this mechanism which provides for the production of an impact study as well as public hearings.

Quebec and Ottawa are financing the construction of the complex to the tune of 2.74 billion. The two levels of government are also offering up to 4.6 billion in production subsidies to match what is proposed in the United States to attract players in the battery sector. Production of battery cells – the last phase before battery assembly – is planned for 2026.