CIDETEC inaugurates at the MUBIL Polo one of the largest European research centres for the comprehensive development of batteries

The new CIDETEC Energy Storage building consolidates the Basque Country as a European benchmark across the entire energy storage value chain

CIDETEC Energy Storage today inaugurated its new state-of-the-art building at the MUBIL Electromobility Polo, in Eskuzaitzeta, an infrastructure with more than 7,000 m² that places the Basque Country among the leading European hubs in battery research, development and testing, covering the entire value chain, from materials to final testing and validation.

The new building, constructed with the support of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and designed to meet real industry needs, houses advanced materials research laboratories, pilot plants and industrial scaling capabilities for different battery technologies, as well as nearly 500 m² of interconnected dry rooms. These infrastructures make it possible to work side by side with industry, especially with automotive OEMs and storage system manufacturers, supporting them from the earliest stages through to final product validation.

The event brought together authorities, representatives of the technological and industrial ecosystem, and executives from leading companies in the region and across Spain, reflecting the strategic and driving nature of this new infrastructure for the battery industry. Overall, the project has involved a total investment of more than €25 million, consolidating a long-term strategic commitment to energy storage and electric mobility.

During the inauguration ceremony, CIDETEC Director Javier Rodríguez highlighted the scale and trajectory of the project:

“This new building, which would not have been possible without the support of public institutions, represents the magnitude of the project we have built after nearly 30 years of work in the battery field. The technologies we develop at CIDETEC do not remain in the laboratory: today they are running in the buses we see every day, powering electric vehicles that are already a consolidated reality and are even flying in space.”

This close relationship with the industrial sector is also reflected in CIDETEC’s strategic commitment to creating spin-offs, aimed at transferring its technological developments to real applications. In the last two years, the centre has promoted, together with different industrial partners, CIDEcell, focused on battery production; LANZO Batteries, specialised in batteries for the space sector; OBS, focused on key battery components such as battery management systems (BMS); and Kudebatt, dedicated to battery recycling.

The event also featured remarks by the Director General of the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), Miguel Rodrigo Gonzalo, who highlighted CIDETEC’s evolution and outlook in recent years:

“CIDETEC’s track record in recent years is a clear example of how applied research can generate real impact in industry. Its commitment to knowledge transfer and bringing technology to market is key to strengthening technological autonomy, the value chain and the competitiveness of the energy sector in Spain”.

For his part, the Basque Government’s Minister for Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability, Mikel Jauregi, highlighted the project’s impact at country level:

“With infrastructures such as this, we demonstrate that the Basque Country is prepared to tackle the challenge of electrification and the energy transition. We have advanced knowledge, technological capabilities and leading energy companies to compete at the highest level, always through public-private collaboration”.

The inauguration also included the participation of the Provincial Deputy of Gipuzkoa, Eider Mendoza, who highlighted the territory’s role in generating strategic capabilities linked to sustainable mobility and energy storage.

“The inauguration of this new building reinforces the Provincial Council’s commitment to consolidating the MUBIL Polo as a strategic electromobility hub of European reference, capable of generating opportunities, talent and strategic projects for Gipuzkoa. It is an industrial commitment based on collaboration and a forward-looking vision, through which we aim to generate new activity and new jobs”.

With this new infrastructure, CIDETEC Energy Storage reinforces its role as a key technological partner for European industry, contributing to the development of safer, more efficient and more sustainable battery technologies.