BC Battery Industry Moves From Research to Real Business

By Sherri Claydon | Vancouver City News | November 10, 2026

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British Columbia's battery industry is taking shape in places many people might not expect. From a manufacturing floor in Surrey to research labs in Burnaby, B.C. companies are developing technology, building products and finding new ways to store electricity.

On November 5, Vancouver-based Nano One Materials announced that construction had begun on an expansion of its battery-material manufacturing facility in Candiac, Quebec. The expansion will use technology developed and refined at the company's Innovation Centre in Burnaby.

The announcement offers a window into an emerging part of B.C.'s industrial economy, where local expertise is finding commercial applications across Canada and beyond.

From a Burnaby Lab to a Quebec Production Line

Nano One develops technology for producing cathode materials, an important component of lithium-ion batteries. Its Burnaby Innovation Centre focuses on product development and improving manufacturing processes.

The expansion is expected to increase annual production capacity for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode material to approximately 800 tonnes. LFP batteries are used in electric vehicles and stationary energy-storage systems.

Construction is underway, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2027 and commissioning targeted for the second quarter. Nano One is also working with prospective customers to qualify its materials, with an initial commercial agreement anticipated in early 2027.

While Nano One's expanded production will be in Quebec, another B.C. company has already opened a manufacturing facility closer to home.

In Surrey, Used EV Batteries Get a Second Job

A battery that has finished its work in an electric vehicle may still have years of useful service ahead of it.

Moment Energy opened its Megafactory 1 facility in Surrey on June 23, 2026, to manufacture energy-storage systems using repurposed electric-vehicle batteries.

The company builds systems for factories, data centres, hospitals and microgrids, using batteries that no longer meet vehicle requirements but can still store electricity.

At the time of the factory opening, Moment Energy reported having more than 80 people on its team. As the Surrey facility scales toward its 2030 production target, the company projects more than 100 direct jobs and more than 1,000 indirect jobs across B.C.

In May, Moment Energy announced a US$40-million Series B financing round to support its business and manufacturing development.

The B.C. Businesses Behind Battery Production

B.C. companies are working on different parts of battery production and recycling.

In Richmond, Saltworks Technologies develops industrial water-treatment and lithium-processing equipment. A February 2026 provincial announcement identified a project involving Saltworks and EMP Metals to test technology that converts lithium-rich brines into battery-grade chemicals.

A Saltworks lithium-processing technology project has received approximately $4.94 million in federal support.

In Maple Ridge, E-One Moli Energy conducts lithium-ion battery research, including work on cold-temperature performance and higher-power cells.

The company previously proposed a $1.05-billion battery-cell manufacturing expansion in Maple Ridge. That project did not proceed, and the associated federal contribution agreement was terminated in December 2025. Separate federally supported research projects have agreements extending into 2028.

In Trail, Cirba Solutions is identified in B.C.'s battery-recycling program reports as a facility where collected batteries are consolidated and sorted before further processing.

By The Numbers: Investment, Production and Opportunity

Recent financing, industrial projects and electricity-storage plans show the range of activity underway and planned.

US$40 million: Moment Energy's Series B financing announced in May 2026.
More than 100 direct jobs: Employment projected by Moment Energy as its Surrey facility scales toward its 2030 production target, alongside more than 1,000 projected indirect jobs across B.C.
800 tonnes annually: Nano One's planned cathode-material production capacity at its expanded Quebec facility.
C$4.94 million: Federal support for a Saltworks lithium-processing technology project.
At least 100 megawatts: Planned capacity of BC Hydro's first grid-scale battery-storage project near Duncan.
Approximately 250 companies: Businesses identified across Canada's battery value chain downstream of mining and exploration, according to Natural Resources Canada's December 2025 benchmark, including planned and paused operations.

BC Hydro Sees a Bigger Role for Batteries

Batteries could soon help manage electricity on a scale much larger than an individual business or building.

On July 31, 2026, BC Hydro announced procurement for its first grid-scale battery energy-storage project, planned near Duncan on Vancouver Island.

The project would provide at least 100 megawatts of capacity, with a target in-service year of 2030. BC Hydro has also identified opportunities for up to 500 megawatts of battery storage across the province.

Large battery systems store electricity for later use, giving utilities more flexibility to manage changes in demand and support reliable service.

Supplier qualification for the Vancouver Island project closed in September, with evaluation and selection scheduled for fall 2026.

Why It Matters: Jobs, Business Growth and Reliable Power

Manufacturing, research and industrial processing can create demand for skilled workers, specialized equipment and local suppliers. Moment Energy's employment projections offer one indication of how that activity could grow as manufacturing expands in B.C.

Battery storage could also help businesses manage electricity demand, control costs where electricity rates make it worthwhile and keep essential operations running during outages when systems are equipped for backup power.

For households and communities, BC Hydro's planned project near Duncan could help the utility manage growing electricity demand and support reliable power for homes, schools, hospitals and businesses.

B.C. companies developing battery materials, processing equipment and energy-storage systems can also serve customers across Canada and internationally, creating opportunities for local business growth.

The real measure of this industry's success will be what it delivers for British Columbians: lasting jobs, stronger local businesses and an electricity system equipped to meet future needs.

By Sherri Claydon | Vancouver City News

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherriclaydon

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