Hitachi Energy to invest $479 million in London transformer facility

Hitachi Energy Canada will invest $479 million to build a transformer insulation manufacturing facility in London, Ont., a project expected to create more than 100 jobs and strengthen North America’s transformer supply chain.

According to the announcement, the 21,000-square-metre facility will be located in London’s Huron Industrial Park and is scheduled for completion in 2028. The plant will manufacture transformer pressboard, a critical material used in electrical transformers, and will be the first production line of its kind in Canada.

The company said the facility will be the largest transformer insulation centre of its kind globally and will be capable of producing up to 20,000 tonnes of material annually. The investment is intended to help address growing demand for transformer components as utilities expand and modernize electricity infrastructure.

Ontario is providing up to $20 million through the Invest Ontario Fund in support of the project. According to the province, the federal government is contributing an additional $20 million through the Strategic Response Fund and $10 million through Natural Resources Canada.

The announcement follows other recent investments by Hitachi Energy in Ontario, including the acquisition of London-based Canduct Group and a $30-million investment in transformer repair, service and training operations in Stoney Creek.

According to the company, the project will reduce reliance on imported transformer materials while increasing domestic manufacturing capacity for energy infrastructure across North America.

“Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward for Canadian manufacturing and our country’s energy future,” said Carla Vicente, managing country director of Hitachi Energy Canada. “By establishing Canada’s first pressboard manufacturing line here in London, we are bringing a critical capability closer to home, strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting the infrastructure needed to meet growing electricity demand.”