Giant battery factory bringing economic boom to Northern Swedish city
A new lithium ion battery plant is making the municipality of Skellefteå feel like they have struck gold, as one of the biggest industrial investments in Europe is set to bring thousands of new jobs.
After decades of dwindling population, when at one point over a thousand flats with the public housing company were standing empty, Skellefteå is now preparing to grow from 72,000 inhabitants to closer to 100,000.
Radio Sweden went to Skellefteå to find out more about the company Northvolt’s plans for the battery factory and how the old mining town is trying to get ready for what is to come.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Yukon Energy to build battery storage, upgrade power line in northwestern Canada, CBC News
Finland: Finnish housing companies hesitant to install charging stations for electric cars, Yle News
Norway: Electric car sales skyrocket in Arctic Norway, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Murmansk region welcomes its first EV fast-charger during air pollution spike, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Sweden’s economic boom over, report says, Radio Sweden
United States: Alaska’s first, electric public transit bus ready to hit Anchorage streets, Alaska Public Media
