According to Serbian Economist, the authorities in Subotica have issued a permit for preparatory work prior to the construction of a mega-factory for the production of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries.
The investor in the project is ElevenEs d.o.o. Subotica. The permit obtained relates specifically to site preparation—soil preparation, demolition of existing structures, and creation of ancillary infrastructure. A separate permit will be required for the construction of the production and auxiliary facilities themselves.
According to published data, the complex is planned on cadastral plot 36916/1 (Donji Grad) on a 178,001 sq. m. plot of land privately owned by the investor. The total gross area of the future facilities is stated at 24,607 square meters. The preliminary cost of preparatory work is estimated at 116.55 million dinars (excluding VAT), and work can begin after the decision comes into force and notification of the start of work is submitted.
The project for a mega LFP battery plant in Subotica, previously referred to as the first factory of its kind in Europe, was announced in 2023. According to earlier estimates, the total investment could amount to around €1 billion, and employment could reach around 1,000 people. In the first phase of hiring, ElevenEs planned to hire approximately 350 employees. At the same time, in 2025, industry reports also mentioned a target investment of EUR 700 million in two phases and about 1,000 jobs in the context of a declaration of support signed by the company with representatives of the European Commission and the Serbian Development Agency.
The declared capacity of the plant in Subotica is 1-2 GWh per year (depending on the production program), with a daily output of 3,000-8,000 batteries (depending on the type). The plan is to produce prismatic LFP blade cells (with side terminals), without nickel and cobalt, for stationary energy storage systems (wind, solar, etc.) and electric transport, including buses and trucks.
The project is important for Serbia’s economy as it integrates the country into the European energy storage supply chain, a segment that is accelerating along with the growth of renewable energy and electric vehicles. LFP technology is generally considered by the market to be a more affordable and thermally stable alternative to nickel and cobalt batteries, which increases the attractiveness of local production for mass applications and energy systems.
