$1.5 billion Lego facility moves toward total renewable energy use

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A planned Lego manufacturing facility in Chesterfield County is one step closer to its goals of running solely on renewable energy.

The $1.5 billion Lego factory and distribution center will install more than 30,700 solar panels across 80 of its total 340 acres. The company will also install 10,800 solar panels on top of its buildings. In total, the panels will generate 26.11MW at their maximum capacity.

“We’re proud of the progress we continue to make. These initiatives are key to increasing our use of renewable energy and support our ongoing commitment towards more sustainable operations," said general manager Jesus Ibanez of Lego Manufacturing Virginia.

(Photo: Lego Group)

The center said it's also on a path toward zero waste from factories to landfills, with almost all waste reused, recycled, composted or sent to non-landfill waste treatment options.

MORE: New LEGO store, facilities make their way to Central Virginia, providing over 1,000 jobs

Construction on the facility is underway, with the most recent development being a "topping off" ceremony in October last year. The 1.7-million-square-foot center will comprise 13 buildings on its campus, including office spaces, molding and packaging buildings, an energy center, warehouses and more.

Officials said the factory will bring over 1,700 jobs to the region over the next 10 years. As of March, about 500 team members work at the facility. Per a release, the number is expected to nearly double to about 900 positions by the end of 2026.