What Happened
NextStar Energy officially opened its Windsor facility in March 2026. The 4.23 million square foot complex represents more than $5 billion in investment and is Canada's first commercial scale advanced battery manufacturing operation. At the grand opening, NextStar reported 1,300 direct jobs created and more than one million battery cells produced since commercial cell production began in November 2025.
- $5B+ invested since 2022.
- 4.23M sq. ft. Windsor manufacturing facility.
- 1,300 direct jobs created as reported at the March 2026 grand opening.
Update History
Energy Storage Milestone Award
NextStar Energy received the Energy Storage Milestone Award from Energy Storage Canada, recognizing the Windsor facility as Canada’s only full-scale battery manufacturing plant.
LG Energy Solution becomes sole owner
LG Energy Solution acquired Stellantis’s 49% stake in NextStar Energy, becoming the sole owner of the Windsor facility. Stellantis remains a customer. NextStar’s grand opening release describes the plant as producing battery cells for electric vehicles and for energy storage systems, and gives a target of 2,500 direct jobs at full production.
Investment Impact
NextStar represents a major expansion of Windsor's existing automotive and manufacturing ecosystem into advanced battery production. I would not translate 1,300 jobs directly into 1,300 renters or homebuyers. The more useful takeaway is that a major new manufacturing employer is now operating in the region.
Jeremy’s Take
NextStar gets my attention because it's no longer just an announcement. The facility is built, battery production has started and people are working there. As an investor, I care about the difference between something being proposed and something actually becoming operational.
Things to Watch
Employment growth, production expansion, additional suppliers locating in Windsor-Essex County and how the broader North American battery industry evolves.
Infrastructure, employment and development activity help explain how the region is evolving. They are context for your analysis, not a guarantee of appreciation, rent growth or investment returns.