THE recent volatility in global energy markets – exacerbated by enduring conflict in the Middle East and its knock-on effects on supply chains, shipping routes, and fuel prices – underlines the strategic importance of resilient domestic supply chains and energy infrastructure. Beneath our feet lies a resource that is becoming increasingly integral to modern manufacturing.

Lithium, an essential component in many batteries, is one of the most soughtafter minerals in the world. In an age of decarbonisation, it is driving the technology that powers smartphones, electric vehicles, and energy storage, and has become a cornerstone in modern energy systems. That's why foreign governments are ramping up efforts in battery manufacturing capabilities. Today, China accounts for more than 80 per cent of global battery cell manufacturing capacity, nearly 90 per cent of cathode active material production, and more than 97 per cent of anode production – all key parts of the battery supply chain.

The European Union is responding to China's dominance with "Made in Europe" proposals, aiming to grow its manufacturing sector to 20 per cent by 2035. As currently envisaged, however, the proposals do not recognise UK battery materials as local content. Excluding UK-produced materials would not only undermines investment in Cornwall's growing critical minerals sector, it would also weakens our own continent’s collective ability to reduce dependence on dominant Chinese suppliers given our own strong sources of raw materials and expertise in chemical and automotive engineering. Success for us, as well as our European allies, relies upon ensuring that British firms can participate fairly in pan European integrated supply chains.

For our own national security, we need a secure and resilient supply chain of critical raw materials, regardless we are able to build our own capability in every raw material and every step in the supply chain. This must be our absolute focus wherever reasonably possible, however.

But how would domestic battery production benefit us in Cornwall? With our ageing rail network reliant on diesel-powered trains, our railways are currently unfit to meet the Government's ambitious goal of decarbonised rail, whilst also we also face a cliff edge in rolling stock availability as soon as 2035. Cornwall has the potential to supply the materials needed for the batteries that could power trains built in Derby, Crewe or Newton Aycliffe, then deployed onto our own railways. In doing so, we reindustrialise Britain, boost Cornwall's growing lithium industry, and ensure the spoils are rightly shared within Cornish communities.

Equally, on the Tamar Crossings, there is a great opportunity to replace the preexisting vessels with electric ferries using batteries, as with the trains, produced in Britain using Cornish lithium. This effort, combined with Government support for the restructuring of debt associated with the Tamar Road Bridge and investment into the ferry crossings, could reduce the operating costs and, ultimately, offer a more affordable service to local people who rely on it every day.

At a time when global instability is exposing the fragility of battery supply chains, this is exactly the kind of strategic industrial ecosystem Britain should be seeking to build: homegrown critical minerals supporting homegrown manufacturing, creating jobs, strengthening our energy security, and ensuring the benefits of the energy transition are led by Cornwall, felt in Cornwall, and shared in Cornwall.