Windsor, Ontario has quietly become one of the most important coordinates on North America’s clean-energy map. On 6 February 2026, LG Energy Solution, Stellantis and NextStar Energy confirmed a strategic ownership transition that reinforces that reality. LG Energy Solution will acquire Stellantis’ 49 per cent equity stake in NextStar Energy, assuming full ownership of Canada’s first and only commercial-scale battery manufacturing facility.
The move is the result of a mutually agreed decision between the two founding partners, shaped through close consultation with NextStar Energy’s leadership team. It marks a new chapter for the Windsor-based operation, one designed to sharpen its responsiveness to market demand while reinforcing its long-term growth prospects.
A Joint Vision, Evolving with the Market
NextStar Energy was established in 2022 as a joint venture between LG Energy Solution and Stellantis, with a clear mandate: anchor large-scale battery manufacturing in Canada and strengthen North America’s EV supply chain. That mandate remains intact. What changes is how the business is positioned to execute it.
Under full LG Energy Solution ownership, NextStar Energy will be able to draw more directly on the company’s global operational scale and technological leadership. This shift allows the facility to serve a broader customer base, extending beyond automotive into the rapidly expanding Energy Storage System sector, while responding with greater agility to fluctuating market conditions.
For Stellantis, the transition reflects strategic clarity rather than retreat. The automaker remains a committed customer and will continue sourcing battery products from NextStar Energy, securing supply for its electric vehicle portfolio while supporting the long-term viability of the Windsor plant.
A Cornerstone of Canada’s Clean-Energy Economy
Few industrial projects in recent Canadian history match NextStar Energy’s scale or significance. More than $5 billion CAD has already been invested in the facility, underscoring long-term confidence in Canada as a competitive destination for advanced manufacturing. Today, the plant employs over 1,300 people, with plans to grow that workforce to 2,500 as it ramps up to full production.
Beyond job creation, the facility plays a pivotal role in onshoring critical battery capabilities. By anchoring domestic production, NextStar Energy strengthens North America’s battery supply chain resilience and supports Canada’s broader industrial competitiveness at a time when clean-energy infrastructure is becoming a strategic asset.
Positioned for the Next Phase of Growth
The ownership transition aligns with broader shifts underway in the global battery market. As demand expands beyond electric vehicles into sectors such as energy storage, robotics and emerging mobility technologies, flexibility and scale have become decisive advantages.
LG Energy Solution is already the largest battery manufacturer in North America, operating a diverse network of facilities across the region. Following completion of the acquisition, its footprint will include four stand-alone plants and four joint-venture operations, enabling the company to rebalance production between EV and ESS applications with minimal new capital investment. This strategy is expected to lift global ESS production capacity to more than 60 GWh this year, with over 50 GWh concentrated in North America.
For NextStar Energy, this integration strengthens its role within a broader ecosystem, ensuring the Windsor facility remains central to both automotive electrification and the wider clean-energy transition.
Confidence from Leadership
The confidence behind the move is echoed by leadership across all three organisations. LG Energy Solution views Canada as a critical production hub for its North American growth, while Stellantis sees the transition as a pragmatic step that secures supply and supports its electrification roadmap. For NextStar Energy, the new ownership structure provides long-term certainty, enabling continued investment in Canadian talent and manufacturing capacity.
Looking Ahead
Subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions, the transaction signals continuity rather than disruption. NextStar Energy will continue to operate as a cornerstone of Canada’s battery manufacturing ecosystem, supporting evolving automotive needs and other strategic industries while delivering sustained economic benefits to Ontario and the country at large.
In a sector defined by rapid change and intense global competition, the message from Windsor is clear: Canada’s battery future is not only intact, it is being deliberately strengthened.
