Gotion allocates $2.63 billion for battery gigafactories in Morocco, Slovakia

Shenzhen-listed Gotion Hi-Tech has unveiled plans to construct two lithium battery manufacturing facilities in Morocco and Slovakia, with annual production capacities of 20 GWh each. The total investment is estimated at CNY19.1 billion ($2.63 billion).

The Moroccan project, led by Gotion’s wholly-owned subsidiary Gotion Power Morocco S.A., will be located in the Rabat region. Designed for phased development over five years, it aims to integrate battery cell production with a localized raw material supply chain, leveraging Morocco’s strategic industrial base and regional advantages.

In Slovakia, the facility will be developed in the city of Surany through GIB EnergyX Slovakia s.r.o., a joint venture established in November 2023. Gotion GmbH, a Gotion Hi-Tech subsidiary, holds an 80% stake, while Slovak partner InoBat Auto owns the remaining 20%. This plant, also planned for phased construction, targets completion within three years and will focus on serving Europe’s demand for locally sourced battery systems.

Both projects remain in their preparatory stages, with investment figures and timelines subject to adjustments based on execution conditions, according to Gotion’s announcement.

The announcements follow a series of high-level engagements signaling Gotion’s expanding global footprint. During the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in September, Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch visited Gotion’s headquarters and expressed confidence in future collaboration. Similarly, Slovak leaders, including Prime Minister Robert Fico and Deputy Prime Minister Denisa Saková, have praised Gotion’s technological expertise during multiple visits this year.

Gotion Hi-Tech, a major player in energy storage and electric vehicle battery systems, has accelerated its global expansion. In addition to operating battery pack factories in Germany, Indonesia, Thailand, and Silicon Valley, the company is advancing projects in Chicago, Michigan, Vietnam, Argentina, and Morocco.

According to SNE Research, Gotion ranked eighth globally in EV battery installations, with 9 GWh deployed in the first half of 2024, marking a 38.2% year-on-year growth. Its energy storage business is also climbing the ranks, achieving the seventh position worldwide in storage cell shipments, per InfoLink Consulting.

The firm is not only bolstering production but also investing in innovation through R&D centers in China, Japan, Singapore, and the U.S., alongside ongoing resource development in regions like Jiangxi, Indonesia, and Argentina.