LEGO Group To Build Major Solar Park At Its Virginia Factory As Part of 100% Renewable Energy Goal

The LEGO Group has announced plans to build a large solar park at its U.S. factory, LEGO Manufacturing Virginia, marking a major step toward its goal of powering the facility with 100% renewable energy. The solar project will be located on-site at the company’s factory in Chesterfield, Virginia, and construction is expected to begin this summer. It will include more than 30,700 ground-mounted panels with a total capacity of 22 MWp spread across nearly 80 acres.

In addition to the ground installation, the company also intends to place 10,080 solar panels on the rooftops of its buildings, adding another 6.11 MWp of renewable capacity. According to Jesus Ibañez, General Manager of LEGO Manufacturing Virginia, the project reflects the company’s continued progress on sustainability and reinforces its long-term commitment to reducing environmental impact.

Construction of the factory itself is advancing on schedule following the steel topping-out milestone reached in October 2025. The office building, made from mass timber, is expected to reach its topping out later this spring. The use of mass timber, a renewable material that stores carbon instead of releasing it, supports the company’s broader effort to cut energy use and reduce reliance on non-renewable materials throughout the site’s development.

As activity on the project grows, the LEGO Group is also expanding its workforce in the Meadowville area. More than 500 employees currently work at the construction site and at the company’s temporary packing facility, and that number is expected to nearly double to around 900 by the end of 2026. This increase will help prepare for the operation of highly automated molding and packing systems once the factory becomes fully operational.

The company is also strengthening its relationship with the local community. Recently, the LEGO Group announced over $1.3 million in new grants to eight nonprofit organizations in the Greater Richmond area. Since 2022, the company has contributed more than $3.5 million in grants funded by the LEGO Foundation to support play-based initiatives and expand opportunities for children throughout the region.

The upcoming factory represents a major long-term investment, totaling more than $1.5 billion and covering 340 acres of land. The site will include 13 buildings—ranging from office spaces to molding and packing facilities, an energy center, and an automated high-bay warehouse—occupying approximately 1.7 million square feet.

The factory is designed with strong sustainability goals, including the ambition to achieve LEED Platinum certification once completed. It will rely heavily on on-site renewable energy from both rooftop and ground-mounted solar installations, while continuing to explore additional renewable solutions for any remaining energy needs. The facility will also follow the company’s global commitment to achieve zero waste to landfill, ensuring that nearly all waste materials are reused, recycled, composted, or directed to non-landfill treatment options.

As with all LEGO factories worldwide, the site will use advanced manufacturing technology to produce the company’s signature bricks with extremely high precision. With major investments in clean energy, sustainable construction, advanced technology, and community partnerships, LEGO Manufacturing Virginia is shaping up to be one of the company’s most forward-looking and environmentally responsible production facilities.