A juggernaut of the energy storage sector, KORE Power, has announced their plans to construct the first US-owned lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility.
The new lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility – named the KOREPlex – will be situated in Maricopa County, Arizona, creating state-of-the-art infrastructure to provide an independent and robust supply chain to meet the lithium-ion battery demands of the US electric vehicle market, power grids, and much more.
Founded in 2018, KOREPower is an industry leader in developing clean battery cell technologies for the energy storage and electric transportation sectors, supplying over ten million battery cells globally to date.
Establishing a highly advanced lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility will be crucial for the US in meeting the exponentially growing demand for electric vehicle cells and ultimately meeting the country’s objectives of achieving net-zero carbon emissions. The KOREPlex aims to meet the growing electric vehicle battery quota, placing a considerable portion of the lithium-ion battery supply chain in the hands of a US-owned company for the first time and creating a plethora of career opportunities for citizens in the process.
The scope of the KOREPlex lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility
The KOREPlex facility will be a sizeable one million square feet in size, capable of producing up to 12 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery cell production to suffice the clean energy needs of the US. KOREPlex will be able to power around 3.2 million households annually, with KORE Power planning to start the facility’s construction by the end of the year, with KOEPlex estimated to commence production in early 2023.
Doug Ducey, the Governor of Arizona, said: “Arizona is thrilled to be selected as the home of the country’s first US-owned lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility. Not only will this facility create thousands of new jobs, but it will also position Arizona as an anchor in the global battery manufacturing supply chain.
“We’re grateful to CEO Lindsay Gorrill and the entire KORE Power team for choosing our state. We look forward to partnering in your success for many years to come to further sustainability here in Arizona and around the world.”
The novel lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility will add to the 2 GWh current annual production of the company that is currently in the process of scaling up to 6 GWh to meet the demand of the increasing battery market. The facility will collaborate with strategic partnerships to operate with net-zero carbon emissions.
“KORE Power’s expansion to Arizona will bring thousands of great-paying jobs to our state and will ensure that Arizona remains at the forefront of clean energy and battery cell development for decades to come,” said Senator Kelly.
“As one of the nation’s top producers of clean energy technologies, KORE Power plays an important role in maintaining American energy independence. This investment in our electric vehicle infrastructure and climate resiliency will continue to advance Arizona’s leadership in the tech sector as well as help our nation achieve its renewable energy goals.”
Lindsay Gorrill, the CEO of KORE Power, said: “We needed a location for our factory that had a track record of supporting energy storage, a growing clean transportation sector, and a workforce that could deliver American-made battery technology that the supply chain so desperately needs.
“Arizona hit a home run. We’re fully committed to being a cornerstone of the state’s clean economy, and we’re proud to bring advanced cell manufacturing home to the US.”
Creating new job opportunities
The venture will see the KOREPlex facility employ over 3,000 people on a full time basis, which will subsequently create upwards of 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. The 18-month construction period of the facility will employ an additional 3,400 people to work during peak construction, a massive economic boost for the Arizona region.
“KORE Power’s investment in Buckeye to produce clean, renewable energy aligns with the City Council’s sustainability goals and our goal for significant employment opportunities for our residents,” said Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn. “This project is not just a win for Buckeye, but for the West Valley, the State of Arizona, and the clean energy industry.”
