Partnership to fill Europe’s EV supply chain gap

WOOD has been appointed as Owner’s Engineer by Green Lithium and will build and operate what is expected to be the UK’s first large-scale commercial lithium refinery.

Green Lithium says there is currently no large-scale lithium refining capability in Europe. It aims to build the UK’s first pure-play merchant lithium refinery, to support an electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, offer a route to decarbonisation, and enable green jobs and long-term economic prosperity.

The partnership will help fill a missing link in the EV supply chain, connecting Europe’s lithium battery and cell manufacturers with secure supply of lithium hydroxide produced from abundant international sources of lithium mineral ore. The facility will use a sustainable and low-carbon refining process.

Wood will draw on its experience of delivering lithium refineries in other territories, including Australia, and will ensure that engineering solutions meet the needs of the merchant refinery and help Green Lithium achieve carbon net-zero ambitions.

Sean Sargent, CEO of Green Lithium, said: “The appointment of an Owner’s Engineer is a crucial development for any major construction project, and we’re delighted that a firm with the experience, expertise and market standing of Wood will be fulfilling this important role for Green Lithium.

“This marks the latest milestone in the delivery of the UK’s first large-scale commercial lithium refinery, which will be a critical enabler for Europe’s electric vehicle and sustainable energy storage sectors as the continent transitions to net zero.”

Andy Hemingway, President of Energy, Innovation & Optimisation at Wood, said: “This landmark project will revolutionise the European supply chain for EV production and sustainable energy storage at this critical time in the energy transition.”