(Saarbücken/12.09.2022) Chinese battery manufacturer SVolt has announced that it is postponing its plans to build a factory for e-car batteries on the Linslerfeld site in Überherrn, Saarland, by several years. Battery production is now scheduled to start in 2027/2028. Previously, SVolt had assumed that production would start as early as 2023. Manuela Ripa, Member of the European Parliament for the Ecological Democratic Party (ÖDP), who is also the only Member of the European Parliament from Saarland, views this postponement positively. "The Linslerfeld is a drinking water protection area and borders directly on the Warndt nature reserve. That is why the planned settlement on this site was more than questionable from the outset. SVolt plans to consume one million cubic meters of drinking water per year. According to an expert opinion, this would lower the groundwater level in the neighboring nature reserve to such an extent that nature would suffer massive damage."

The MEP emphasizes that she is not against the construction of the SVolt battery factory in Saarland. However, all environmental concerns must clearly be taken into account. After all, the environmental impact assessment has not yet been completed and will take time. "I am aware that the promise of 2,000 jobs in a structurally weak region certainly speaks in favor of the project, especially after the closure of Ford in Saarlouis. But the citizens' concerns must be taken seriously and addressed by SVolt before construction can begin. Apart from that, the Linslerfeld is unsuitable for such a factory. Saarland is already one of the federal states where the most land is sealed. There are more suitable locations in Saarland, for example on one of the numerous brownfield sites."

The ÖDP politician had taken part in several rallies organized by the citizens' initiative "Friends of Linslerfeld" and exchanged views with citizens from Überherrn and the surrounding area.

SVolt's decision to start series production of e-car batteries in Lauchhammer, Brandenburg, from 2025 proves that former industrial sites are certainly suitable for the construction of such a battery factory. The site there is located on an existing industrial site, namely the former production site of wind turbine manufacturer Vestas. This decision shows that brownfield sites are very attractive for company relocations, as the approval procedures are much shorter than when unsealed farmland such as Linslerfeld is to be developed. Saarland in particular, where there are many such former industrial sites, could significantly increase its attractiveness for companies to set up here. Above all, building on sealed surfaces also protects the climate and has benefits for species conservation and the environment as a whole. This is particularly important in the fight against the climate crisis.

However, Manuela Ripa emphasizes that the consequences for the environment, traffic volume and quality of life in Brandenburg must also be carefully examined before SVolt receives production approval. Moreover, this is one of the areas of Germany with the lowest rainfall. "Since the authorities paid little attention to the risk of water shortages when the Tesla factory was built in Grünheide in Brandenburg, I hope that the authorities in Lauchhammer will act more wisely with regard to the water management of such a factory," concluded the MEP.