In December 2023, the Malahat Nation and Vancouver-based company Energy Plug announced that they are joining forces to build a 100,000 sq ft. battery assembly and storage facility inside Malahat’s 52-acre business park. This will be the first Indigenous-led gigafactory in Canada. The venture will fast-track and localize battery pack assembly and strengthen the battery supply chain, both of which are important issues for creating energy grid resiliency and grid stability.
The factory will assemble lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery packs to be used for residential, commercial and industrial storage applications by governments, corporations and consumers who are shifting to green energy as a way to generate electricity and phase out the use of fossil fuels like coal and gas. The LFP battery packs produced at the facility are expected to offer distinct advantages over other battery chemistries, including cost-effectiveness, extended lifespan, and enhanced safety. The partnership is also planning to work with lithium manganese cobalt oxide, sodium-ion, and solid state batteries in the future.
Malahat Nation will hold a majority ownership stake of 51% and will be responsible for building out the facility, while Energy Plug is expected to build out the facility’s internal systems and departments. Both will collaboratively oversee and manage the joint venture. The facility is strategically located in a Free Trade Zone next to Tidewater, making it a great location for connections to Asia, the US and Latin American economies. In a media statement, Tristan Gale, Executive Director of Environment and Sustainable Development at Malahat Nation said:
“Our vision entails delivering the highest quality, locally produced battery technology to enhance industry while building a model that enables sustainability, energy independence and environmental objectives…It’s a step toward becoming a leader in economic development in a sustainable manner.”
This initiative is poised to create 100 local and in-demand Canadian and Indigenous manufacturing jobs within the clean energy sector. The facility is expected to produce 100 MW of battery output, with the total targeted output reaching 10 GWh by year ten.
