USA, Virginia, South Boston: Hitachi Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., has announced a $1 B investment to expand its US grid manufacturing capacity, aimed at powering the country’s fast-growing energy needs.
Central to the plan is a $457 M power transformer facility in South Boston, Virginia, set to become the largest of its kind in the United States. The state-of-the-art plant will produce large power transformers essential for high-voltage transmission, AI data centres, power generation, and industrial applications. Expected to be fully operational by 2026, it will create over 825 new jobs in Southside Virginia.
The project forms part of Hitachi Energy’s global $9 B expansion programme, the largest in the industry, which includes boosting R&D and strengthening supply chains worldwide. In the US, the investment will also expand several existing facilities and reinforce domestic production of critical equipment.
Federal and state officials welcomed the move, highlighting the importance of a robust domestic supply chain for transformers. They stressed that the investment supports AI infrastructure growth, grid modernisation, and energy security while bringing high-paying jobs to local communities.
“Leveraging our expertise in IT, operational technology, and advanced products, we are supporting American manufacturing, the development of critical infrastructure, and the rapid expansion of data centers driven by AI adoption,” said Toshiaki Tokunaga, President & CEO of Hitachi.
“Eight-hundred and twenty-five new jobs will be transformational for Southside Virginia, as will the power transformers those new hires are set to build,” said Glenn Youngkin, Governor. “These transformers are critical to our Nation’s electrical grid and will be built right there in Virginia.”
By scaling domestic production, Hitachi aims to reduce reliance on imports, accelerate grid upgrades, and ensure US competitiveness in the global push for clean and secure energy.
Source: Hitachi Energy
