PowerCo now expects its electric-vehicle battery plant in St. Thomas, Ontario, to begin operations in 2029, two years later than the original target. The Volkswagen subsidiary says construction continues and has named EllisDon as general contractor for the next phase.

The revised date matters for southwestern Ontario’s industrial plans. The project has been promoted as a major investment and a source of construction and eventual manufacturing work. PowerCo has said the current phase covers core building structures and site-wide infrastructure, including utility and mechanical systems.

A company spokesperson told Global News that the phased approach is intended to preserve flexibility, rather than signal a withdrawal from the project. That explanation does not erase the practical effect of a later start: timelines for production and related jobs have shifted.

The company reported about 60 EllisDon workers on site, with a projected peak of 1,300 during construction. Those figures describe construction staffing, not a current operating workforce. Source: Global News, including PowerCo’s statement.

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