To Expand Grid Technologies and Accelerate Energy Infrastructure Transformation
ABB is investing approximately $200 million across its European manufacturing footprint over the next three years to expand medium-voltage production capabilities, strengthen supply chains and support increasing global demand for next-generation grid technologies.
The investment initiative will increase production capacity for critical electrical distribution technologies used by utilities, industrial facilities and rapidly expanding data center markets, helping support modernization efforts as electricity demand continues to rise worldwide.
The program includes a new $100 million manufacturing facility in Dalmine, Italy, alongside additional expansion projects in Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Norway and Poland. ABB said the investments will increase availability of technologies including SF₆-free medium-voltage switchgear, grid automation products, gas-insulated switchgear, vacuum interrupters and protective relay systems.
Industry forecasts continue to point toward significant growth in global electricity demand. According to projections from the International Energy Agency, electricity’s share of final energy consumption is expected to increase from roughly 20% today to nearly 30% by 2030, increasing pressure on utilities and infrastructure providers to expand and modernize grid systems.
Morten Wierod, Chief Executive Officer of ABB, said: “This $200 million investment will strengthen ABB’s medium-voltage manufacturing and technology capabilities in Europe and support customers as electricity demand increases and the grid evolves.”
Wierod added: “Demand is being driven by major structural trends, from grid modernization and the integration of renewables to data center growth and the transition to more sustainable technologies. These investments will help us expand capacity, improve availability and shorten lead times for customers in Europe and beyond.”
The largest individual investment within the initiative is the construction of ABB’s new facility in Dalmine, Italy. The site will support increasing demand for air-insulated and SF₆-free switchgear and breaker technologies designed to improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
An additional $100 million will be distributed across manufacturing sites in:
• Rakovski, Bulgaria
• Vaasa, Finland
• Ratingen, Germany
• Skien, Norway
• Przasnysz, Poland
The projects are intended to expand production capacity for technologies supporting more resilient and reliable power distribution networks.
ABB noted that the latest investments build upon recent expansion activity in other European markets. In Kecskemét, Hungary, the company previously invested approximately $15 million to add research and development capabilities and production capacity for connector technologies designed to improve medium-voltage network reliability.
In Nottingham, United Kingdom, ABB also invested roughly $35 million to increase production of earthing and lightning protection technologies used to protect critical infrastructure, data centers, communication systems and transportation networks.
Together, the investments reflect ABB’s broader strategy to strengthen manufacturing capabilities for technologies supporting the global energy transition, while increasing the availability of products essential for evolving power networks.
ABB operates in more than 100 countries and employs approximately 110,000 people globally. The company provides electrification and automation technologies focused on improving efficiency, productivity and sustainability across industries.
For more information, visit ABB.
