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Tesla construction site in Grünheide
Photo: Patrick Pleul / DPA
Shortly before the deadline, the US electric car manufacturer Tesla deposited a security deposit required by Brandenburg for the further construction of its factory in Grünheide near Berlin.
The Tesla management confirmed the agreement on securing any dismantling obligations late on Friday evening, said a spokeswoman for the Environment Ministry.
This means that no construction stop has to be imposed.
"The necessary security is provided by the provision of a letter of comfort by a German GmbH, combined with a cash deposit of 100 million euros," said the spokeswoman.
A deadline that has meanwhile been extended by five days is therefore irrelevant.
According to information from the German Press Agency, the money was only deposited between 11 p.m. and midnight.
The final environmental approval for the entire factory according to the Federal Immission Control Act is still pending.
That is why Tesla is building in individual steps through early approvals.
The 100 million euros are intended as security for possible dismantling costs.
The state government left open how and where the money was deposited.
Production is scheduled to start in July
In December, Tesla had not deposited the security deposit by the first deadline of December 17.
Therefore, the work was initially suspended, then Brandenburg agreed with Tesla on a longer period until January 15.
In return, according to the Ministry of the Environment, the company guaranteed security for all early building permits in a letter of comfort.
The Grünheide citizens' initiative criticizes the extended deadlines.
The electric car manufacturer wants to start production in Grünheide in July.
The company had estimated the construction costs at just under 1.1 billion euros.
Tesla boss Elon Musk told Business Insider in December: “Unfortunately, we will exceed the budget.” In the first phase, 12,000 employees and up to 500,000 vehicles per year are planned.
Conservationists and residents fear that the factory will have negative consequences for the environment.
They consider the water consumption to be too high and see protected animals in danger.
Musk also wants to make the plant near Berlin the world's largest battery factory.
A corresponding application has not yet been received.
In the Oder-Spree district, however, a building application from Tesla for a warehouse was received before Christmas, a spokesman said.
The "Potsdamer Neuesten Nachrichten" reported that the hall should be three times the size of a football field - the battery factory could be built there.
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