LG Energy Solution begins operations of $3.7B battery plant in Canada

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LG Energy Solution begins operations of $3.7B battery plant in Canada

Published: 08 Mar. 2026, 15:30 Updated: 08 Mar. 2026, 15:35

SARAH CHEA
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong-myung, fifth from left; Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, fourth from right; company representatives; and Korean and Canadian government officials take a photo at a ceremony celebrating the opening of LG Energy Solution's battery plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on March 6. [LG ENERGY SOLUTION]

LG Energy Solution began operations of a 5 billion Canadian dollar ($3.7 billion) battery facility in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on Friday.

The factory, called NextStar Energy, is Canada's first and only large-scale battery facility, spanning 4.23 million square feet (1,045 acres). It will produce batteries not only for EVs but also for advanced energy storage systems, for which demand has been surging due to the AI and data center boom.

The project was originally planned as a joint venture with Stellantis, but LG Energy Solution acquired the carmaker's entire stake last month and opted to operate the facility independently. The company has since announced plans to expand employment at the plant from 1,300 workers to as many as 2,500.

“Choosing to manage the operation independently was a decision grounded in confidence,” said LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong‑myung. “NextStar Energy will serve as a driving force behind Canada's electrified future.”

Korea's Industry Minister Kim Jung‑kwan participated in the plant’s opening ceremony and met with Canada's Industry Minister Mélanie Joly to discuss Korea's ongoing bid for a submarine deal, which could be worth up to roughly 60 trillion won ($40 billion).

Korea is competing with Germany for the project, which calls for the construction of 12 submarines to replace Canada's four aging Victoria-class vessels, scheduled to retire around 2030.

BY SARAH CHEA [[email protected]]