French and Indian firms commit to battery storage and artificial intelligence projects, with more than 1,300 jobs expected across Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer used the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Évian, France, to announce £1.3 billion in private investment flowing into the country’s clean energy and AI sectors. The money comes from French and Indian companies, and it’s aimed squarely at battery storage infrastructure and artificial intelligence capabilities.
The announcement, made on June 16, landed during a summit already focused on energy security and technological leadership among the world’s wealthiest democracies.
Where the money is going #
The biggest chunk, £1 billion, comes from French private equity firm InfraVia. That capital is earmarked for a series of battery storage projects across the UK, the kind of infrastructure that helps stabilize electrical grids when renewable energy supply fluctuates.
Atri Energy Transition is putting in over £300 million, also targeting large-scale battery storage and advanced manufacturing. That investment alone is expected to generate more than 100 jobs.
Then there’s the AI piece. Indian tech firm Hexaware Technologies committed £25 million to expand its AI, digital services, and quantum operations in the UK. Approximately 1,200 positions are expected from that single investment.
In total, the government says these commitments will support more than 1,300 high-skilled jobs in Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham.
The Industrial Strategy play #
The investments align with the UK government’s modern Industrial Strategy, a framework designed to attract capital into sectors the administration considers priorities. Clean energy and AI sit at the top of that list.
The G7 Summit, held from June 15 to 17, provided a convenient stage. Energy sovereignty and AI leadership were central themes across the broader summit agenda.
What this means for investors #
The announcement contained no mention of blockchain, digital assets, or any crypto-adjacent technology. The AI component is significant, but it’s traditional AI and quantum computing.
The Hexaware investment is particularly interesting from a labor market perspective. A £25 million commitment creating 1,200 jobs implies a services-heavy operation, likely focused on AI development and consulting rather than capital-intensive hardware. The government expects that talent density in cities outside London — specifically Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham — will support the broader Industrial Strategy goals.
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