- The plant will have an annual production capacity of up to 35,000 tons of lithium hydroxide.
- Commercial operations are expected to start in 2026.
- The project could represent an investment of around €700 million.
- The plant aims to create up to 1,500 direct and indirect jobs.
Project Overview
Galp and Northvolt have established a joint venture named Aurora to develop Europe's largest and most sustainable lithium conversion plant in Portugal. The plant will have an annual production capacity of up to 35,000 tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide, essential for the lithium-ion battery industry.
Timeline and Investment
The joint venture is currently conducting technical and economic studies, with commercial operations expected to start in 2026. The project could represent an investment of around €700 million and aims to create up to 1,500 direct and indirect jobs.
Sustainability and Technology
The plant will use a proven conversion process, incorporating recent technological improvements to enhance sustainability and efficiency. The joint venture plans to use green energy to power the conversion process, minimizing reliance on natural gas.
Supply Chain and Partnerships
Aurora will secure high-quality spodumene concentrate from key suppliers and aims to deliver lithium hydroxide sufficient for 50 GWh of battery production per year, enough for approximately 700,000 electric vehicles. Northvolt will secure an offtake for up to 50% of the plant’s capacity for its battery manufacturing.
Strategic Importance
This project aligns with Portuguese and European industrialization efforts related to the energy transition and aims to strengthen Europe's position within the battery value chain. The joint venture is also exploring funding options to support the project's development.
