Hitachi Energy announces over $100 million in modernization and upgrade of power transformer factory and facilities in Quebec, Canada
April 29 2024 - 8:27AM
Hitachi Energy today announced an ambitious upgrade and
modernization of its power transformer factory in Varennes, and
other facilities in Montreal, to address fast-growing customer
demand for sustainable energy in North America. More than $100
million (approx. $140 million CAD) in projects around Montreal will
include funding from the Government of Quebec through
Investissement Quebec.
This investment is in
line with Hitachi Energy’s recent announcement to ramp up its
global transformer manufacturing capacity to support the long-term
plans and electrification efforts.
The Varennes facility
is Hitachi Energy’s premier manufacturing location for large power
transformers in North America, supporting national and regional
power grids, and serving utility-scale renewable energy projects.
The establishment of a new on-site transformer testing facility in
Varennes is a critical element of the company’s efforts to meet
growing demand in the province for sustainable energy
solutions.
The additional 130,000
square foot (approx. 12,000 square meter) facility will support the
certification of power transformers manufactured in Varennes,
serving as an essential part of the final acceptance process for
customers. The testing facility is expected to be completed before
the end of 2027. This initiative aligns with Quebec's broader
strategy to meet its ambitious energy goals, including the need for
more than 150 terawatt-hours (TWh) of additional energy to achieve
carbon neutrality by 2050 - around twice what Quebec consumes
today.
“Globally, demand for
transformers and electrical equipment continues to grow at an
unprecedented scale. At Hitachi Energy we are continuously
developing our global footprint and capacity to address our
customers’ mid- and long-term needs. In addition to our global
investments, the support of the Quebec Government will help to
address North America’s rising demand for transformers to support
fast-growing sectors like renewable energy, data centers, and
industrial electrification, as Quebec strengthens its role as a key
player in the energy transition,” said Bruno Melles, Business Unit
Transformers, Managing Director at Hitachi Energy.
The Varennes factory
designs and engineers a vast range of superior-quality
transformers, including large power step-up transformers,
auto-transformers with very high voltage, shunt reactors, and
transformers for static compensators and high-voltage direct
current (HVDC) transmission systems. The location’s manufacturing
capacity ranges from 100 to 1,200 megavolt-ampere (MVA) and their
operating voltage reaches as high as 800-kilovolt (kV), which is
among the highest in the world.
Transformers play a
key role across the power value chain, enabling efficient
transmission and distribution of electricity. They are a key
component for applications such as integrating renewables, grid
interconnections, powering data centers and electrifying
transportation, facilitating the decarbonization of energy
systems.
The company’s
manufacturing facility in Varennes has been in operation since 1971
and is one of the leading manufacturing locations of power grid
equipment in the greater Montreal area. The facility covers over
300,000 square feet (almost 30,000 square meters) and employs
around 330 people.
Hitachi Energy Canada
employs more than 550 engineers and highly skilled manufacturing
employees at its three facilities located in Varennes, Montreal,
and Quebec City, and has more than 1,000 employees across
Canada.
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About Hitachi
Energy Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that
is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve
customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with
innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together
with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the
digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition
towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world's
energy system to become more sustainable, flexible, and secure
whilst balancing social, environmental, and economic value. Hitachi
Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in
more than 140 countries. We integrate more than 150 GW of HVDC
links into the power system, helping our customers enable more wind
and solar. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ more than 40,000
people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of over $10
billion
USD. https://www.hitachienergy.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy
About Hitachi,
Ltd. Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a
sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We
solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions
leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi
operates under the 3 business sectors of “Digital Systems &
Services” – supporting our customers’ digital transformation;
“Green Energy & Mobility” – contributing to a decarbonized
society through energy and railway systems, and “Connective
Industries” – connecting products through digital technology to
provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green,
and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our
customers. The company’s revenues as 3 sectors for fiscal year 2023
(ended March 31, 2024) totaled 8,564.3 billion yen, with 573
consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 270,000 employees
worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the
company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.
- Hitachi Energy, Varennes Montreal factory
Global Media Relations
Hitachi Energy Ltd.
media.relations@hitachienergy.com
Kurt Steinert
Hitachi Energy North America
kurt.steinert@hitachienergy.com
Felix Mann
Hitachi Energy Canada
felix.mann@hitachienergy.com