Hitachi Energy Canada has announced a significant investment of $479 million in a new manufacturing plant in London, Ontario, set to generate over 100 job opportunities. The Transformer Insulation Centre, spanning 21,000 square meters, will be constructed in Huron Industrial Park with an anticipated completion date of 2028.
This facility will host Canada’s inaugural production line for transformer pressboard, a crucial insulating material for electrical transformers. The initiative aims to address the escalating demand for electricity infrastructure within the country while reducing dependence on imported goods. The Ontario government has applauded this investment, citing its role in fortifying North America’s transformer supply chain amid the ongoing expansion and modernization of utility grids.
Stephen Lecce, the Minister of Energy and Mines, emphasized Ontario’s pivotal role in driving the continent’s most extensive energy development through the Integrated Energy Plan. Carla Vicente, the managing country director of Hitachi Energy Canada, highlighted the strategic importance of the facility in enhancing local capabilities, reinforcing domestic supply chains, and supporting the evolving needs of the electricity sector.
Vicente underscored the long-term commitment to Canadian industry, talent, and innovation embedded in this investment. The federal government is contributing $30 million to this project, with $20 million allocated from the Strategic Response Fund and an additional $10 million from Natural Resources Canada. The facility is poised to become the largest of its kind globally, with a production capacity of up to 20,000 tonnes of pressboard annually.
This development builds upon Hitachi Energy’s existing ventures in Ontario, including the acquisition of Canduct Group in London and a recent $30 million investment in transformer repair, service, and training at its Stoney Creek facility near Hamilton.