Latest Updates: LG Energy Solution’s (LGES) $5.5 billion battery facility in Queen Creek, Arizona, continues to make significant progress as it heads toward full-scale production. The 1.3-million-square-foot cylindrical EV battery plant is set for completion in 2026, and key developments have emerged over the past few months.
On May 6, 2025, LGES announced a crucial partnership with Honeywell, selecting them to supply advanced building automation systems for the facility. These systems will cover security, monitoring, and fire/safety measures, marking an important milestone in the project. The Honeywell contract emphasizes the facility’s completion goal of 2026, aligning with previous announcements regarding the plant’s timeline.
As of May 2025, construction on the cylindrical EV battery plant is approximately 50% complete. Richard Ra, president of LGES Arizona, reported that the company is on track to begin sample production by mid-2026, with full-scale commercial production of the 46-Series cylindrical batteries expected by the end of 2026. This timeline has remained unchanged, with LGES continuing to target mass production to meet the rising demand for electric vehicle batteries.
Workforce development
In addition to construction progress, LGES has been focusing on workforce development. In April 2025, the company helped launch a battery-focused workforce training accelerator in nearby Pinal County. This initiative aims to prepare local workers for the plant’s operations, highlighting LGES’s commitment to supporting the community and ensuring a skilled workforce for the facility.
While construction is advancing on the cylindrical EV battery plant, there has been no new update on the planned Phase-2 energy storage system (ESS) facility. Previously, the ESS plant was put on hold as LGES reallocates resources, with the current focus solely on the cylindrical battery production line.
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Production Capacity of LGES Queen Creek Facility
When fully developed, LG Energy Solution’s Queen Creek complex will have an annual production capacity of approximately 53 gigawatt-hours (GWh), with around 36 GWh coming from its cylindrical electric vehicle (EV) battery line and 17 GWh from the planned lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) energy storage system (ESS) facility. The cylindrical line will produce LG’s 46-Series (4680) batteries, marking a shift from the original 2170 cell design that was expected to yield 27 GWh. That redesign, finalized in late 2023, reflects LG’s effort to boost output and align with the growing demand for next-generation EV batteries.
Economic Impact
The battery plant will also generate substantial job growth. LG projects around 1,500 full-time operational roles by 2027. Originally, the two-phase project, including both the EV and ESS plants, would support roughly 2,800 jobs. During construction, the $5.5 billion project will employ thousands of temporary workers. However, since LG placed the ESS portion on hold as of mid-2024, current job creation and hiring efforts focus primarily on the cylindrical battery facility.
Beyond its production capabilities, the Queen Creek plant is positioned to have a wide-reaching economic impact. LG Energy Solution has partnered with local and state entities to launch the Future48 Workforce Accelerator, a training center designed to prepare Arizona residents for careers in battery manufacturing. With approximately $80 million invested in surrounding infrastructure—supported in part by state reimbursement programs—the facility is shaping up to be a cornerstone of Arizona’s clean energy industry. It also qualifies for various state incentive programs, and once fully operational, it is expected to support millions of EVs while generating significant tax revenue and regional supply chain growth.
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LG Energy Solution Queen Creek Battery Facility Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Investment: $5.5 billion
Location: Queen Creek, Arizona
Size: 1.3 million square feet
Primary Focus: Cylindrical EV battery production
Targeted Completion: 2026
Current Status: ~50% complete (as of May 2025)
Production Capacity
Total Planned Capacity: 53 GWh annually
Cylindrical EV Battery Line: 36 GWh
Energy Storage System (ESS): 17 GWh (Phase-2, currently on hold)
Battery Type: 46-Series (4680) cylindrical batteries (upgraded from original 2170 design)
Timeline
Construction Progress: 50% complete (May 2025)
Sample Production: Expected mid-2026
Full-Scale Production: Expected end of 2026
Recent Developments
May 6, 2025: Partnership announced with Honeywell to supply advanced building automation systems for security, monitoring, and safety
April 2025: Launch of battery-focused workforce training accelerator in Pinal County
LGES Battery Facility in Queen Creek, AZ: Economic Impact
Job Creation:
Approximately 1,500 full-time operational roles by 2027
Thousands of temporary construction jobs
Original two-phase project estimated 2,800 jobs (revised due to ESS facility hold)
Infrastructure Investment: Approximately $80 million for surrounding infrastructure
Regional Benefits: Tax revenue generation and supply chain growth
Workforce Development: Partnership with Future48 Workforce Accelerator to prepare local workforce
Updates on LGES Battery Facility in Queen Creek: Current Status
Phase-1 (Cylindrical EV Battery Plant): On schedule for 2026 completion
Phase-2 (ESS Facility): Currently on hold as LGES reallocates resources
Richard Ra, LGES Arizona President, confirms the project remains on track for 2026 production goals
Partners and Stakeholders
LG Energy Solution: Primary investor and operator
Honeywell: Building automation systems provider
State and Local Entities: Supporting workforce development through Future48 initiative
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