BARCELONA — Two corporations are excited by changing Nissan’s automobile manufacturing unit in Barcelona, Spain, for battery manufacturing, media studies stated.

France’s Schneider Electrical and South Korea’s LG Power Answer have proven potential curiosity in producing batteries on the manufacturing unit, the studies stated.

Nissan plans to shut the plant and two related components factories in December.

Catalan public channel TV3 has stated LG’s plan is to supply batteries for VW’s Seat model, which is contemplating constructing EVs at its manufacturing unit in Martorell, close to Barcelona, in 2025.

The regional authorities of Catalonia, the place Barcelona is positioned, is backing a venture to construct a battery manufacturing and recycling plant within the area. The so-called Battery Hub venture is looking for 6.8 billion euros ($8.25 billion) from Spain’s 140 billion euro share of the EU’s COVID-19 pandemic help and can solely go forward if it secures the funding.

Though Spain is but to resolve on the usage of the funds, one of many choices being thought-about by authorities is to find the Battery Hub venture at Nissan’s plant, stated a supply with direct data of the method.

The manufacturing unit which builds the Navara pickup and vans, is on publicly owned land.

The supply stated “many corporations” had proven curiosity and authorities will take into account what number of jobs could be preserved when deciding who can arrange store there.

A job power on the vegetation’ future fashioned by Nissan, authorities and union representatives has set a March 31 deadline for submission of formal proposals to be used of the amenities. It has stated different attainable choices embrace an electrical automobile plant or one other electrical mobility-related venture.

Discovering an answer for the vegetation is within the pursuits of each the Japanese automaker, which had obtained state help and confronted intense native opposition over its resolution to close them, and the nationwide and regional governments hoping to protect jobs.

Requested whether or not the Battery Hub might discover a residence at Nissan’s vegetation, Pere Aragones, Catalonia’s performing head of presidency, instructed Reuters: “That is one of many choices that has been positioned on the desk but it surely’s not the one one.”

He declined to elaborate, however stated Catalonia was an “glorious location” for a battery manufacturing unit given the presence of automakers, equivalent to Seat.

The regional authorities has stated the battery venture is backed by corporations from the mobility and know-how sectors, with out naming them.

The supply, in addition to Joaquin Cano, CGT union chief at Nissan, stated the EU funds, if granted, would assist to persuade buyers within the amenities.

Nissan Spain and the Spanish authorities stated the method was confidential and wouldn’t present additional remark.