Hitachi announces $479M plan to build transformer insulation factory in London, Ont.

Hitachi Energy has announced a $479-million plan to construct a new transformer insulation factory in London, Ontario. The federal and Ontario governments will contribute $50 million to the project, with the bulk of the investment coming from Hitachi Energy. The 21,000-square-metre facility, expected to be completed by the end of 2028, will be the first of its kind in Canada, specializing in producing pressboard—a crucial material for cooling transformers.

Bruno Melles, Hitachi’s chief executive of transformers business unit, stated that the industry for transformer manufacturing is progressing rapidly, but other key components are lagging behind. This new factory aims to address the growing demand for transformers and ensure supply chain resilience amidst the transition to renewable electricity, industrial developments, and the rise of artificial intelligence data centers.