After two years of construction Tesla Gigafactory Berlin has received its final environmental approval. Today’s press conference saw Dietmar Woidke, Brandenburg Minister-President, discuss the approval.
Our previous coverage has covered the background of Tesla Giga Berlin as well as the delays and issues that plagued the project. Click here for more information about Tesla’s Giga Berlin project.
Today, it’s all about Giga Berlin’s final environmental approval. The following topics were covered during the press conference, along with some notable updates and quotes. (Quotes provided via Google Translate unless stated otherwise).
A press release has been sent out by Brandenburg about Tesla Gigafactory Berlin’s final approval. Here are some highlights from the document.
Potsdam/Frankfurt (Oder)Today, Friday March 4, the State Office for the Environment in Brandenburg (LfU), responsible for immission control approval processes, gave the approval for the Tesla factory at Grnheide (Oder–Spree district), and handed it to the project developer.
The approval notice will be published in the official gazette of Brandenburg, in local daily newspapers, and on the internet.The approval notice is available for 2 weeksBeginning at the date of publication in the municipality of Grnheide(Mark), the township of Erkner, the Spreenhagen and the seat for the administration in the Oder-Spree District in Beeskow, as well in the State Office for the Environment Frankfurt (Oder)inspectionoffThe one-month period during which objections can be made to the approvalThe objection period ends after the exhibition is over.
The project was approved by the536-page decisionThe plan includes the production of upto 500,000 vehicles per annum, an aluminum smelting plant and an aluminum foundry, as well as plants for surface treatment and heat generation.
The Tesla approval process is unique in many ways. In a relatively short time, the State Office for the Environment approved not only a factory, it also approved an entire industrial zone with large-scale plants and repeated participation from the public.
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06:55 a.m. PT – Grunheide Mayor Arne Christiani highlights that Teslas work is a Herculean task. He also noted that Giga Berlin would provide jobs and other opportunities in the area. The official commented on the potential benefits of the electric vehicle facility to the region and said that Tesla bringing Giga Berlin into the area is like winning the lottery.
06:52 a.m. – Jorg Steinbach takes the stage. He talks about how important Giga Berlin for the region. Brandenburg wasn’t known for its high-profile investments. With Teslas Gigafactory Berlin, the state is now high on the list of locations that companies are looking at for industrial projects.Tesla’s presence has already signaled the development of an entire integrated supply chain.
06:50 a.m. PST – With the final approval now secured, Tesla now has to secure its operational permit for Giga Berlins Model Y production. According to Vogel, the permit includes approximately 400 conditions and demands. While this may seem like a lot, they are actually not that many. The permit contains 23,700 pages of applications (HT). Alex Voigt).
06:49 a.m. – Vogel reiterates that the final permit for Gigafactory Berlin is an intermediate step. He also praised those responsible for the approval Giga Berlin because they didn’t lose sight despite all the noise around it. The media and political attention that was paid to the project have not deterred those responsible for the approval. [We]Vogel noted that he had reviewed the approval requirements for this process.
06:48 a.m. PT – Alex Vogel takes the stage and discusses the meticulous process involved in the approval of Gigafactory Berlin. “It couldn’t have been done faster, but we have to say that every procedure was carried out within the framework for federal German law approval, he said.
06:46 AM PST – The Minister-President did highlight, however, that while the approval of Tesla Giga Berlin is a good day for the state of Brandenburg, it should not take away from the grave situation in Ukraine, which is currently being attacked by Russia. Woidke stated that she hoped that the criminal attack of Putin on Ukraine will be stopped as soon as possible.
06:45 AM PST – Minister-President Woidke highlights that the approval process of Giga Berlin was a challenge for Germany. This was also doubted throughout Germany at that time. Is it possible to meet the requirements in Germany? If so, can it be done within two years to obtain approval for the third-largest German automobile factory (approved). It was all about building it up and making the project a success. Yes, this project taught me a lot. I also learned that planning and approval in Germany is possible, but I also need to make changes. This is a discussion we will continue at a federal level, the Minister President said.
06:41 AM PST – Almost 3,000 Tesla employees are already working daily in Gigafactory Berlin (credit to Alex VoigtThis translation is available here
06:40 a.m. PT – Minister-President Woidke notes that the approval of Giga Berlin was a mammoth task for Brandenburg. Today, March 4, is a significant step towards the future of Brandenburg. Woidke stated that he believes that there will be a time before Tesla as well as a time with Tesla in 20-30 years.
06:35 a.m. PT – Minister-President Woidke confirmed that the final construction permit for Gigafactory Berlin has been issued and given to Tesla.
06:30 a.m. – The press conference begins. The introductions are made. Brandenburg Minister-President Dietmar Woidkes Tesla Team are introduced. Each member of Task Force Tesla is appreciated for their role in getting the facility’s approvals passed.
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