Discussion regarding Tesla’s Giga Berlin expansion plans continues and progress is being made. The municipality and the manufacturer can reach a compromise that is likely to satisfy everyone, according to Grünheide Mayor Arne Christiani.
On Thursday, Grünheide presented proposals for a new version of the relevant development plan on its website. The amended plan still needs to be made public before community members can vote on it.
As a result, there is a high probability that a compromise will be reached between citizens and the company.
Christiani, said that thanks to the proposals made, almost 50 hectares of pine plantations will be preserved. Initially, for the expansion of Giga Berlin, trees were planned to be harvested from an area of about 100 hectares. Thus, the municipal administration takes into account the wishes of citizens, the mayor wrote.
During the last citizens’ vote, the Giga Berlin expansion plan was not supported by about two-thirds of residents.
Tesla made the change in question possible in terms of development. The company has refused space requirements, it announced Thursday evening. The reduction was made possible by Tesla focusing on warehouse and logistics areas and production-related support facilities needed for climate-neutral logistics at Giga Berlin, it said. This means that service facilities and facilities required for employees will no longer be possible for the factory in this expansion. To make them possible, Tesla will have to look for alternatives. According to the previous plan, the manufacturer wanted to build a freight station, warehouses and a kindergarten.
It should be noted that Tesla does not require water for expansion. The company is ready to give up additional volumes of water in the first stage of expansion, which is in negotiations with the responsible water association Strausberg-Erkner (WSE). According to the previously signed contract, WSE undertakes to supply Tesla with up to 1.8 million cubic meters of water annually. However, Giga Berlin is very economical and recycles all its water.
