To ease the worsening transformer shortage, Hitachi Energy is dropping $106M into its Tennessee transformer components factory. (Latitude Media)
The play: The site will become the biggest bushings plant in North America when finished in 2027. Hitachi’s expansion adds 60K square feet of new manufacturing, warehouse, and office space, signaling a long-term bet on US grid modernization and offering utilities an option for domestic supply.
Why it matters: Transformer demand is up 116% for power units and 41% for distribution since 2019, but supply hasn’t kept pace. Shortfalls are driving costs up as much as 95% and pushing lead times out years, stalling substation upgrades and renewables hookups.