- Stack manufacturing facility and product development center in Massachusetts, U.S. secured with an expected manufacturing capacity of up to 1.4 gigawatt hours (“GWh”) per year
- Electrolyte, electrolyte tank and stack container manufacturing center approved
- Energy industry executive to focus on driving the development of its clean energy division, including the commercialization and strategic deployment of its VCHARGE± system
- Capital expenditures of US$4.4 million expected in 2021 for the Company’s clean energy division
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Largo Resources Ltd. ("Largo" or the "Company") (TSX: LGO) (NASDAQ: LGO) is pleased to announce key developments in its clean energy division to scale up manufacturing capacity of its VCHARGE± vanadium redox flow battery (“VRFB”) system to meet expected deployment targets.
The Company is also pleased to announce that Mr. Salvatore Minopoli has been appointed as Vice President of Operations of Largo Clean Energy with overall responsibility for commercial development and implementation of the strategic business growth plan.
VCHARGE± Manufacturing Strategy Developed
During Q1 2021, the Company finalized the manufacturing strategy for its clean energy division and began to establish the supply chain required to deliver on its targeted deployment timelines and cost structure. In April 2021, the Company secured a location for its stack manufacturing and product development center in Massachusetts, U.S. with an expected nameplate manufacturing capacity of 1.4 GWh per year. This facility will be the global headquarters of Company’s clean energy division. The Company also approved a location in New Hampshire, U.S. for its clean energy division’s electrolyte production and manufacturing of containerized VRFB systems.
Paulo Misk, President and CEO of Largo, stated: “We continued to make considerable progress in advancing our clean energy division with the view of becoming a leading player in the long-duration energy storage sector with our superior VRFB technology. I am pleased to report that the Company secured its U.S. based stack manufacturing facility and product development center, which is expected to have an annual manufacturing capacity of 1.4 GWh.”
He continued: “Supported by robust sector demand and global carbon reduction targets, we continue to view the strategic growth opportunity associated with our clean energy division as a strong source of value creation for the Company. We are planning Largo’s Battery Day to highlight our development strategy, showcase the VCHARGE± system technological differentiations and detail the Company's sizable growth opportunity in the long-duration energy sector as we position ourselves toward a sustainable future. We will provide a date for this event soon.”
The Company is progressing with the certification of its VCHARGE± system under UL1973 and UL9540 requirements and expects to conclude this process shortly. Hiring of additional personnel to support the Company’s anticipated targets continues.
Appointment of Mr. Salvatore Minopoli as VP of Operations
“The appointment of an energy industry expert of Mr. Minopoli’s caliber is a further validation of Largo’s proposed business proposition and the tremendous opportunity that exists with our anticipated global deployment of our VCHARGE± system,” said Paulo Misk, President and CEO of Largo. “Salvatore’s in-depth knowledge of the energy sector, combined with his extensive leadership experience in advancing new energy projects will enable Largo to strategically advance the development of its clean energy division.”
Mr. Minopoli brings over 30 years of U.S. energy industry experience to the Largo executive team, including extensive development and execution of utility-scale projects in both regulated and merchant energy markets in the U.S. and internationally. He has extensive experience in the successful development and execution of gas and renewable projects, holding leadership positions for both major U.S. utilities and energy technology providers. Most recently, Mr. Minopoli served as Vice President of Highview Power where he led the deployment and business growth of its long-duration energy storage technology in the U.S. Minopoli holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Catholic University, an MS in Engineering Management from George Washington University, and served as an officer in the United States Navy, Naval Construction Battalion.
“Largo is a global leader in the supply of high-quality vanadium and possesses one of the most advanced and commercially available energy storage technologies for long-duration. This combination is expected to bring prospective customers unique value and assurance for their clean energy transition,” commented Minopoli.“I’m excited to join the talented executive team at Largo as we work to become a long-duration energy storage supplier of choice and assist in the world’s decarbonization efforts through the deployment of our VCHARGE± system.”