MONTREAL and ZURICH — Hitachi Energy 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 their 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 reportedly 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 a part of the final acceptance process for customers. The testing facility is expected to be completed before the end of 2027.“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 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.Hitachi Energy Canada says they employ 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. (ICE TORONTO)

Fonte notizia: https://www.cleantechnology.ca/