Trudeau: $1B battery ‘gigafactory’ coming to Maple Ridge
The province and Ottawa plan to contribute $204.5 million to the project.
A rendering shows E-One Moli’s factory planned for Maple Ridge. – E-One Moli
Key Takeaways:
- The facility would produce 135 million batteries annually.
- It is being jointly funded by Ottawa, B.C. and Taiwan-based E-One Moli.
- With the creation of 450 jobs, E-One Moli would become the largest private-sector employer in Maple Ridge.
- E-One Moli says the ‘gigafactory’ will be the world’s first ultra-high power battery plant powered 100% green energy.
The Whole Story:
Plans are underway to build a $1.05-billion lithium-ion battery cell production facility in Maple Ridge, B.C.
The project is a partnership between E-One Moli and the governments of B.C. and Canada. The facility would produce 135 million batteries annually and would be the world’s first ultra-high power battery plant powered 100% by green energy.
“As our province builds a stronger, cleaner economy, we open the door to immense opportunities in the private sector that value B.C. as a centre for innovation, investment and cutting-edge technology,” said Premier David Eby. “The new E-One Moli advanced manufacturing plant will create hundreds of good, local jobs and continue to establish B.C. as a leader in building a clean-energy future.”
With the creation of 450 jobs, E-One Moli would become the largest private-sector employer in Maple Ridge.
The province is contributing as much as $80 million to E-One Moli’s new facility in Maple Ridge, which will anchor the company’s North American production. The production facility will be Western Canada’s first high-performance lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing facility, creating a new hub in the global battery component supply chain.
The province’s investment leverages $970 million from the federal government, E-One Moli and private sources. The plant will produce the latest generation of high-performance lithium-ion battery cells found in a wide range of products, including consumer electronics, such as vacuums, power tools, garden trimmers and medical devices.
“British Columbians have long been known for their innovation in the clean-technology space. Today, as we secure a major clean battery manufacturing project in Maple Ridge, we build on that expertise to secure hundreds of middle-class jobs, while fighting climate change,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who was in Maple Ridge for the annoucement. “The world is looking to Canada. When we support projects like E-One Moli’s new facility in Maple Ridge, we bolster Canada’s role as a global clean-tech leader, create good jobs and help keep our air clean.”
François-Philippe Champagne, federal minister of innovation, science and industry, said the new facility will help expand the electrification of consumer products and offer new energy alternatives in sectors such as construction and health care.
“E-One Moli believes in total climate commitment as well as total care commitment and looks forward to producing a pure green battery to support the world’s energy transition,” said Nelson Chang, chairman, E-One Moli Energy (Canada) Limited and E-One Moli Quantum Energy.
As part of BC Hydro’s electrification plan, E-One Moli will be switching some of its plant from natural gas to electricity, as well as participating in the Load Attraction Program aimed at diversifying industries in B.C. wanting to connect to BC Hydro.
According to the province, the project will support the ecosystem development of a domestic critical-minerals supply chain providing a local alternative to the battery products that are predominantly manufactured in Asia.
