With a total investment of over 1 billion US dollars, Form Energy will build a factory in West Virginia

Classification:Industrial News

 - Author:ZH Energy

 - Release time:Jan-29-2023

【 Summary 】Build the first iron air battery manufacturing plant. The new battery manufacturing plant is expected to create at least 750 new full-time jobs, with a direct investment of up to $760 million

On December 22, 2022, West Virginia Governor Jim Justins announced that Form Energy will build its first iron air battery manufacturing plant on 55 acres of land in the narrow strip of land in the northern part of the state, along the Ohio River in Weirton. The new battery manufacturing plant is expected to create at least 750 new full-time jobs, with a direct investment of up to $760 million.

"Wilton should have had some exciting news long ago," said West Virginia Governor Justin. Weirton was once one of the most important steel towns in the United States - a national leader in steel production. Now, this historic city is looking forward to the future, and with the addition of Form Energy, it will become very dazzling. We have developed a special fiscal incentive plan that includes asset based investments worth up to $290 million to support their settlement in Weirton.

"The funds invested in this project will be realized in the form of ownership, guarantee, and mortgage of land and buildings," the governor added. "The West Virginia Bureau of Economic Development allocated $75 million this morning to purchase land and build buildings in Weirton. I plan to collaborate with the West Virginia legislature and our federal partners to obtain an additional $215 million required for our agreement. Products that stabilize the resilience and reliability of American power resources will once again be produced in West Virginia, making Weirton a national leader in this evolving industry."


The power grid faces a challenge: how to manage the long-term changes of renewable energy without sacrificing reliability or cost. Form Energy is an American energy storage technology and manufacturing company that is developing and commercializing a type of iron air battery that can store electricity for over 100 hours at a system cost that competes with traditional power plants. The company's groundbreaking ultra long term battery will reshape the power system, enabling it to operate reliably with 100% low-cost renewable energy every day of the year.

"After a year long national site selection process, starting with identifying over 500 candidate locations in 16 states, Weirton in West Virginia - a historic steel community located by the river with rich mineral resources and expertise in making great things from iron - was ultimately the ideal location for our first commercial battery production plant," said Mateo Jaramillo, co-founder and CEO of Form Energy. "We look forward to collaborating with Weirton community leaders in the coming months to determine how we can best support the needs of local residents through sustainable community partnerships."

"We appreciate West Virginia's business environment, streamlined processes, and commitment to labor development," Jaramillo added. "We are particularly grateful for the cooperation and support of Governor Jim Justins, Secretary Mitch Carmichael, Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw, Senate Speaker Craig Blair, and local officials in Hancock County, which will bring high salaries, full-time employment opportunities, and cost-effective safety batteries to drive innovation in the United States."

"We are pleased that Form Energy recognizes West Virginia and welcomes the company to Weirton," said Mitch Carmichael, West Virginia Secretary of Economic Development. "We will continue to support them in any way possible. Creating 750 jobs and investing $760 million in our state is not something to take lightly, and we can't wait to see how this company will thrive with our strong workforce. I hope West Virginia will continue to expand its battery industry in the coming years."

Form Energy is expected to begin construction of its Weirton factory in 2023 and produce iron air battery systems in 2024 to achieve widespread commercialization.


"The entire state should share our excitement today, as Form Energy, with revolutionary technology, is choosing West Virginia," said West Virginia House Speaker Roger Hanshaw. "This facility and this investment will not only truly change the narrow northern strip that our past generation knows, but also provide impetus for the country's sustainable development, as we will be in a leading position in bringing low-cost and reliable renewable energy to the market."

"I am very excited about today's announcement of Form Energy and this incredible opportunity in Weirton City and West Virginia," said West Virginia Senator Ryan Weld. "This news is huge news for all of us, but even more special for me: I grew up in the city center of Weirton, and my grandfather worked at Weirton Steel. If Weirton's past can provide some evidence, it is that the people there will make this incredible project a success. I look forward to working with people from the state and Form Energy to start a new chapter in Weirton's history."

"Today's announcement is good news for Weirton and the entire Mountain State," said US Senator Joe Manchin. "The new factory of Form Energy will bring clean and innovative energy technologies to West Virginia and fully utilize the rich skills of our people to help ensure our country's energy security. West Virginia remains a leader in energy innovation, and the high paying jobs and new economic opportunities it brings are exactly what I considered when negotiating the Inflation Reduction Act. I have repeatedly said: the path forward is innovation, not elimination, and West Virginia and Form Energy are doing so."

"West Virginia has once again won a highly competitive process, bringing new jobs and opportunities to the Mountain State," said US Senator Shelley Moore Capito. "Today's announcement is indeed a collaborative effort, and I would like to congratulate the Governor, Secretary Carmichael, and the leadership of the West Virginia Senate and House of Representatives on their joint efforts to bring Form Energy to our northern narrow strip. If West Virginia is to continue to become an energy state, we must embrace new technologies, but also tell our story at the national and global levels. I look forward to working with the visionary leadership of Form Energy and looking forward to bringing more positive development to our hometown in the future."

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