By: Turkiye today

Turkish energy firm GO Enerji and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution have agreed to jointly build a battery pack production facility in Ankara, Türkiye, to supply electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems, starting with an initial investment of €45 million ($52.16 million).

The factory will initially operate with a production capacity of 2.5 gigawatt-hours (GWh) and is scheduled to begin operations in the second quarter of 2026. The capacity is planned to expand to 7.5 GWh within two years, with long-term investment expectations exceeding €1 billion ($1.15 billion).

These battery packs represent the final assembled units of an energy system, distinct from battery "cells," which form the electrochemical core of the battery.

Reducing Türkiye's import reliance, expanding export reach
During a press address, GO Enerji Chairman Gokhan Yildiz emphasized that the factory will operate under a "Made in Türkiye" label, supplying both domestic demand and LG Energy Solution’s global customers.

He said the initiative is intended to reduce reliance on imported battery technologies and contribute to Türkiye’s positioning as an international production base for energy systems.

Export targets will include Europe, Africa, and Middle Eastern markets, aligning with Türkiye’s geographic and trade integration advantages, Yildiz highlighted.

Beyond manufacturing, the partnership includes plans to establish a research and development center. The facility will aim to foster local innovation and talent in battery technologies, laying the foundation for possible future battery cell production, Yildiz noted.

The R&D center is expected to enhance Türkiye’s credentials in high-tech industries and support workforce development in advanced energy storage solutions.

Yildiz added that employment will begin with approximately 100 positions and is projected to increase to 900 as operations scale up.

LG pivots Türkiye battery investment with new partner
Founded in 2003, GO Enerji is a Türkiye-based engineering and energy firm specializing in solar power systems and large-scale photovoltaic (PV) plant installations.

The company provides turnkey services ranging from design and procurement to installation and maintenance, serving both domestic and international markets.

Established in 2020 as a subsidiary of LG Corporation and headquartered in Seoul, LG Energy Solution is one of the world’s leading producers of lithium-ion batteries. The company supplies advanced battery systems for electric vehicles and energy storage applications, including grid, residential, and commercial systems—as well as consumer electronics.

The agreement marks a return to Türkiye for LG Energy Solution following a previously cancelled plan with Ford Otosan, a joint venture involving Ford Motor Company and Koc Holding. That plan, aimed at producing battery cells in Ankara, was shelved in early 2023 due to concerns about electric vehicle market timing.

The development follows a high-level meeting in Ankara between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, where both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation in energy, defense, and trade.