It was announced in December 2021 that EcoPro BM, a manufacturer of cathodes for lithium batteries, will built its first European factory in Debrecen, Hungary. The investment value is HUF 264 billion, and it will create 631 new jobs. It was the second-largest investment in Hungary in 2021 after the investment of South Korea’s SK Innovation.
Deputy Mayor of Debrecen Lajos Barcsa announced in his latest interview with local television that a preliminary sale and purchase agreement of the land and the relevant infrastructure has been signed with the company, meaning that ownership has not yet been transferred to EcoPro.
The deputy mayor added that they would be able to provide them with significant amounts of electricity in the first phase towards the end of 2024, with the second phase expected by the end of 2026. The company plans to start mass production in 2025.
He stressed that one of the most important energy developments in the country is being implemented in the Southern Economic Zone, as the government has guaranteed HUF 85 billion for this purpose.
The existing energy capacity of the city was sufficient, but EcoPro and the ongoing negotiations require a significant expansion, he said.
The 24-megawatt photovoltaic power plant, which is to be located on 52 hectares next to Debrecen International Airport and near the Southern Economic Zone, will produce enough energy to supply the equivalent of 15,000 households a year.
The deputy mayor announced that they are also working on developing rail transport in the area as part of the Debrecen 2030 Program.
The 106 railway line could also improve the accessibility of the BMW plant. He said that the Hungarian national railway company (MÁV) and ministry officials are also developing services that will provide a quick solution between the Nagystation and the factory. The same possibility exists for the Southern Economic Zone, using the 108 railway line to Mikepércs. The airport and then Oradea could be connected.
The deputy mayor said that there is also a great demand for an industrial park for small and medium-sized enterprises. The first industrial sites have been sold out at lightning speed, and they are already looking for a site for the second phase of the Southern Economic Zone.
