6,000 jobs to be created as Sunderland lands £1bn Nissan electric vehicle project

A new £1bn investment set to create thousands of North East jobs has been announced today (July 1).

Nissan has announced a £1bn investment in Sunderland, with the creation of its new Electric Vehicle (EV) Hub.

The hub is set to create 6,000 jobs, and represents the biggest job-creating project Sunderland has seen since Nissan arrived in the city more than 30 years ago.

A key part of the infrastructure that will enable the flagship Electric Vehicle (EV) Hub - Nissan 36Zero – is the development of a Microgrid that aims to deliver a 100 per cent renewable electricity power source that will save 55,000 tonnes of carbon annually.

The hub will create 909 jobs at Nissan, 750 at a battery plant as well as around 4,500 in the supply chain.

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, commented: “We have worked tirelessly, in lockstep with Nissan, Envision Group and UK Government to ensure that Sunderland landed this transformational project that will deliver jobs and prosperity for our residents.

“The Microgrid infrastructure is a key enabler of this game-changing project and, through this, we are helping to create the conditions for Nissan, Envision AESC and indeed the wider manufacturing cluster in the area to thrive.”

Helen Golightly OBE, chief executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “Nissan’s ongoing commitment to invest in the North East is testament to the skills, talent and expertise in our region’s advanced manufacturing sector.

“Today’s announcement also recognises the leading role our region has to play in new sustainable forms of energy, like electrification.

“The UK’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050 has accelerated the need for R&D and investment in electric vehicles, and Nissan’s announcement will put our region at the forefront of new developments in this sector.

“Nissan’s plans for its Sunderland plant will not only create thousands of direct jobs, but it will also deliver thousands more in the supply chain, ensuring the economic benefits reach right across our region.”