This article was produced in partnership with Northlight Energy.
On the edge of Northvale’s old steelworks district, six cranes now stand over what will become one of the largest battery storage plants in the country. Northlight Energy, the company behind the 420-million-euro project, says the site will employ around 450 people during construction and 150 permanently once it opens next year.
The plant is designed to store surplus electricity from wind and solar farms and release it when demand peaks in the evening. That helps keep the grid stable and reduces the need for expensive backup power.
Who is being hired
Northlight is recruiting electricians, welders, control room technicians and site engineers, as well as 40 apprentices who will train on the project. The company says it has agreed with Northvale’s technical college to run a shorter certification course for workers who already have industrial experience.
Northvale has the skills — people here built heavy machinery for generations. We want those skills in the energy transition, not leaving town.
Sofia Andersen, chief executive of Northlight Energy
Around a third of the current construction workforce comes from within 30 kilometers of the site, according to the company. Northlight says it pays above the regional average for comparable roles and offers a transport allowance for shift workers.
What it means for the region
For a city that has lost thousands of factory jobs over two decades, the project is a welcome signal. Local suppliers of steel structures, cabling and catering have already signed contracts worth more than 60 million euros.
The project is not without its questions. Some residents have asked about traffic during the building phase and about fire safety at large battery sites. Northlight says it has agreed delivery hours with the municipality and that the plant will have its own fire station and monitoring system, inspected by the national safety regulator.
“We know trust is earned,” Andersen said. “That is why we hold an open site day every month.”
How to apply
Vacancies are published on Northlight Energy’s careers page and at the job center in central Northvale. The next open day for jobseekers takes place on the first Saturday of next month, with site tours every hour.
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