PowerCo Canada has commenced construction on its planned St. Thomas gigafactory, set to become the country’s largest electric vehicle battery plant. Site work has begun on three primary structures, marking the project’s transition from planning to development. The facility, scheduled to begin initial production in 2027, will incorporate more than 500,000 square feet of formwork, over 32,000 cubic meters of concrete, and roughly 4,850 metric tonnes of reinforcing steel. Magil Construction Canada Inc. is overseeing the foundation and structural concrete, with Steelcon responsible for steel erection in the weeks ahead.
The plant will deploy PowerCo’s Unified Cell battery technology, supporting a more resilient domestic supply chain and strengthening Canada’s role in the global EV sector. With the capacity to produce high-performance cells for electric vehicles, the gigafactory expands the company’s footprint alongside existing sites in Europe and North America.
PowerCo SE Chief Executive Officer Frank Blome noted that the investment underscores the strategic importance of electrification and positions Canada at the forefront of advanced battery manufacturing. Paul Henke, president of Magil Construction Canada, highlighted the expertise and local labor driving the project forward.
A targeted recruitment campaign across Southwestern Ontario has already attracted over 100 applications. Transit ads, billboards, and social media outreach are in place to fill the thousands of roles expected to emerge from construction and operations.
Federal and provincial leaders have also endorsed the development, citing benefits such as high-paying jobs, strengthened steel and aluminum markets, and a cleaner, more sustainable economy. Local representatives emphasized the milestone’s significance for regional growth and clean-technology leadership.
As construction progresses, the St. Thomas gigafactory is anticipated to deliver substantial economic impact through direct employment, regional supply contracts, and enhanced domestic EV battery production.
Source: PowerCo Press Release
