Brazil, São Paulo: Hitachi Energy has delivered its first 460 kV natural ester-filled shunt reactor to ISA ENERGIA BRASIL, marking a technological milestone for Brazil’s power transmission sector.
The project includes four single-phase shunt reactors for the Bauru substation in the state of São Paulo. Each unit has a capacity of 66.67 MVAr and uses around 15,000 litres of natural ester oil. According to Hitachi Energy, it is the company’s largest natural ester-filled shunt reactor delivered to a customer so far, and the first of its kind in Latin America.
The first unit became operational in May 2026, while the remaining units are expected to be installed in August 2026.
“This unprecedented project shows that it is possible to modernise power sector infrastructure while combining operational reliability and sustainability,” said Dayron Urrego, Executive Director of Projects, ISA ENERGIA BRASIL.
The Bauru substation is currently undergoing modernisation, including the installation of the new shunt reactor and the replacement of other equipment and systems. These investments aim to improve operational reliability and strengthen energy security within Brazil’s National Interconnected System.
Natural ester fluid offers environmental and safety advantages compared with traditional mineral oil. It is plant-based, has improved biodegradability and can reduce ecological risk in the unlikely event of leakage. In this project, the design also achieves a 20 % reduction in material-related carbon footprint and an approximately 11 % reduction in total lifecycle carbon emissions compared with a mineral-oil-based design.
Hitachi Energy said the project required technology development, logistics studies, adapted production processes, strategic supplier partnerships and specialised equipment.
Source: Hitachi Energy
