LG Energy Solutions expects to have the first round of hiring for its stand-alone battery manufacturing complex in Arizona completed by the end of this year, according to a press release. 

The $5.5 billion LG Energy Solution Arizona project broke ground in in Queen Creek in November. A plant manufacturing cylindrical batteries at the complex is expected to be completed next year. A second plant manufacturing ESS batteries will be completed in 2026. 

Land preparation has been completed for the complex and steel beams are now being placed at the site, the release says.

The cylindrical battery plant will produce 46-Series batteries for electric vehicles (EV).

“A crucial part of the company’s innovative product portfolio, 46-Series cylindrical batteries demonstrate LG Energy Solution’s advanced technological leadership throughout various applications for EVs,” the release says. “As the company plans the first mass production of 46-Series batteries at its Ochang plant in Korea in the second half of this year, which is the earliest among major global battery manufacturers, LG Energy Solution Arizona is expected to continue the momentum and reinforce the manufacturing capability.”

The ESS facility will produce lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pouch-type batteries for energy storage systems (ESS).

“It is one of the first ESS-exclusive battery production facilities in the world,” the release says. “By situating its stand-alone ESS battery facility in North America, the world’s biggest ESS market, LG Energy Solution aims for a timely response to the fast-growing needs for locally manufactured batteries on the back of the U.S. clean energy policies, providing ESS batteries with enhanced competitiveness in cost, battery life, and safety.”

LG says the complex will have an average annual production capacity of 53 Gigawatt hours (GWh) or with cylindrical batteries at 36GWh and LFP ESS batteries at 17GWh.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs also praised the complex during the event, the release says. 

“This transformative investment will have a lasting impact not only in Arizona, but across the country and moves us one step closer toward our clean energy goals,” the release says Hobbs said. “These are the jobs of the future – and the State of Arizona is committed to being an active partner in ensuring Arizonans have the skills to fill these jobs.”

Production is expected to start in 2026. LG projects the complex will create thousands of new jobs. 

“Of many other sites, this Arizona facility has a special meaning to us. This is the second stand-alone facility to be built in the U.S. And it is also the first manufacturing facility to produce cylindrical batteries in the U.S. Right here, is where we can build quality cylindrical batteries, which will be used to power millions of EVs,” said Brian Oh, LG Head of Mobility & IT Battery Division in the release. 

LG runs a stand-alone facility in Michigan that also is currently undergoing expansion. The release says the expansion will quintuple the facilities annual production capacity. 

The company also has joint venture facilities in the U.S. with General Motors, Honda and Hyundai Motors Group. 

“By further expanding our product portfolio and offering diverse options to our customers, we will continue to strengthen our market competitiveness,”  David Kim, LG CEO, says in the release. “We also expect to keep growing in the global market by maximizing customer value through unmatched technology leadership.”

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Photo courtesy of LG Energy Solutions