Toronto, Ontario -- NextStar Energy Inc., a joint venture between automaker Stellantis and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution Ltd., has received an occupancy permit for its new electric vehicle battery cell plant in Windsor, Ontario. The approval marks the end of construction and the start of preparations for production.
The 4.23-million-square-foot complex includes eleven buildings, with two dedicated to cell and module manufacturing and nine for support operations such as recycling, logistics and testing. When fully operational, the company says the facility will produce up to 49.5 gigawatt-hours of battery cells each year.
NextStar Energy chief executive officer Danies Lee called the milestone “the direct result of a shared vision, effective partnership and incredible hard work of everyone involved.” He credited partner firms LG Energy Solution and Stellantis, construction contractor Alberici-Barton Malow and all levels of government for helping the project finish safely and on schedule.
The company has hired more than 950 employees and expects to employ about 2,500 people once production ramps up. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said the $5-billion project represents a “game-changing investment” for the city and region.
NextStar Energy said the permit allows operations to begin while finishing work continues in some non-production areas. The company expects manufacturing to start later this year.
The news came shortly before Stellantis announced plans to shift Jeep Compass production will shift from its Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario to the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois as part of a US$13-billion U.S. investment plan.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa expects Stellantis to honour commitments to Brampton workers, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford voiced disappointment and pressed the company to clarify its long-term plans for the site.
The union Unifor, which represents auto workers in Canada, called the move a threat to Canadian jobs and criticized the company’s communications, saying members were notified just minutes before the public announcement.
Unifor national president Lana Payne said the decision sacrifices Canadian jobs for U.S. policy advantages and urged both federal and provincial governments to use every lever to secure future product for Brampton.
