Hitachi Energy, a global leader in electrification, is making a $457 million investment in Virginia to expand the company’s power transformer production facility.
Located in South Boston, the facility will produce large power transformers, creating approximately 825 new jobs, according to an announcement from Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
“Thank you, Hitachi Energy, for trusting Virginia, again! Hard-working Virginians and a business-friendly environment are what first brought Hitachi Energy to the Commonwealth. Now, after years of success here, they are doubling down on that decision with this landmark investment in South Boston,” Youngkin said.
“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. These transformers are critical to our Nation’s electrical grid and will be built right here in Virginia.”
The large transformers will support high-voltage transmission, power generation, artificial intelligence centers and large-scale industrial applications. It will be one of the largest power transformer manufacturing sites in the nation once completed.
Youngkin said a major workforce housing project is underway, including the donation of 10 acres of land from Halifax County, to support the newly created jobs.
“We are partnering with Halifax County and Virginia Housing to build 96 new homes supported by a grant from the Virginia Workforce Housing Investment Program,” Youngkin explained.
The county will waive any permit and connection fees to further enable the project’s construction.
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura said in a statement the investment will help grow the state’s manufacturing sector.
“825 new employees in South Boston will soon be constructing the critical electrical equipment needed to power even more economic growth in the Commonwealth,” Segura said. “As our energy demands rise, Virginia and Hitachi Energy are rising to the occasion.”
Headquartered in Switzerland, the company employs more than 50,000 people in 60 countries and generates revenues of around $16 billion.
Andreas Schierenbeck, CEO of Hitachi Energy, said power transformers are a “linchpin technology” for a robust and reliable electrical grid, and are winning the race to clinch AI technology.
“Bringing production of large power transformers to the U.S. is critical to building a strong domestic supply chain for the U.S. economy and reducing production bottlenecks, which is essential as demand for these transformers across the economy is surging,” Schierenbeck said. “As the global leader in electrification, Hitachi Energy is uniquely positioned to deliver critical power solutions for the American market.”
