Hitachi Energy today announced an investment of more than 30 million euros (approx. $32 million) in the expansion and modernization of its power transformer manufacturing facility in Bad Honnef, Germany. Expected to be completed in 2026, the project will generate up to 100 new jobs in the region and address the rising demand for transformers to support Europe’s clean energy transition.
Operational since 1906, the facility in Bad Honnef is one of Hitachi Energy’s key manufacturing locations in Europe. The factory produces large power transformers, forming critical components of the electrical grid used to step up or down the voltage level for efficient transmission and distribution.
“Electricity will be the backbone of our entire energy system. In the global power system of 2050, we need around four times the power generation capacity and transfer of up to three times as much electrical energy compared to 2020”, said Bruno Melles, Business Unit Transformers Managing Director at Hitachi Energy. “The Bad Honnef facility is one example of our commitment to expand our global footprint and capacity at speed to meet accelerating demand driven by the energy transition.”
The investment signifies an expansion of the facility to over 15,000 square meters. Combined with process enhancements, the upgraded facility is geared towards optimizing operational performance and boosting the overall manufacturing capacity to address the growing demand. Over the years, the factory in Bad Honnef has delivered transformers to many of the leading transmission system operators, utilities and industries in Europe, such as those included in the strategic partnership with TenneT.
The expansion of this factory reflects a wider scaling up of Hitachi Energy’s capacity in Europe. Last year, the company expanded production in Sweden with an additional 2,000 new jobs over the next two years, in addition to the acquisition of power electronics companies eks Energy and COET.
