TAB is planning to invest in production facilities to manufacturer lithium-ion batteries in Prevalje in the north of Slovenia. To begin with the batteries will be assembled manually but after investment then the process will be automated, the plant is expected to employ 40 staff.

The company has for years been trying to expand from lead-acid batteries to lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and has founded a joint venture with China’s Haidi Energy Technology.

TAB has been buying lithium-ion cells in Asia so far, and then assembled them at its facility in Žerjav, just south of MeŞica. Now this production will move to Prevalje, about ten kilometres away.

Lithium-ion batteries are interesting for a wide range of buyers, from small investors in Slovenia to large energy companies. “It’s all about the fact that the batteries can be used to actively manage electricity,” Burja said.

For example, batteries can be charged when electricity prices are low and used when they are high. TAB thus also counts on buyers who work on integrated energy solutions in Slovenia and across Europe.

The production in Prevalje has been set up as part of the €3.1 million DIGITAB project, for which the partners have received €1.6 million in state and EU funding from the recovery and resilience plan.