BYD weighs battery plant in Portugal’s Matosinhos
BYD is considering a battery plant in Portugal, with Matosinhos among the possible sites, in a potential boost to the country’s electric vehicle supply chain.
Chinese carmaker BYD is considering building an electric vehicle battery plant in Portugal, with the former Galp refinery site in Matosinhos among the possible locations. The project could strengthen Portugal’s role in the Iberian electric mobility supply chain.
According to the Expresso newspaper, BYD has been in talks with the Portuguese government and AICEP, the country’s trade and investment agency, about the investment. Matosinhos mayor Luísa Salgueiro said such an investment would be “a very welcome project”, although the municipality has not yet been formally contacted.
Of the 240 hectares occupied by the former refinery, 100 have been transferred to the municipality, with 40 earmarked for a University of Porto hub and 20 for a green park. The remaining area still has no defined use.
The location could benefit from its proximity to the future Barroso lithium mine in Boticas, whose production is expected to start in 2028, as well as access to the port of Leixões and major transport links. The plant could serve as an Iberian battery production hub, including for BYD’s future car factory expected to be located in Spain.
Portugal’s Economy Ministry and AICEP have been supporting the project for some time. Economy Minister Castro Almeida has acknowledged a “fruitful dialogue” with a Chinese carmaker about setting up a unit in Portugal, but declined to give further details.
Originally published at Eco.pt
