Press Release | Sydney, Australia | 22.09.2026 | 2 min read
Hitachi Energy has successfully delivered six giant 500 kilovolts (kV) shunt reactors for Transgrid’s HumeLink project in Australia, marking a major milestone in the nation-critical transmission project.
The shunt reactors each weigh more than 120 tonnes and are some of the first three phase 500-kV reactors used in Australia. They will be installed at Transgrid’s Maragle, Bannaby and Gugaa substations.
Sydney, September 22, 2026 - Hitachi Energy has successfully delivered six giant 500 kilovolts (kV) shunt reactors for Transgrid’s HumeLink project, marking a major milestone in the nation-critical transmission project.
HumeLink is one of the state’s largest energy infrastructure projects, generating more than 1,600 jobs and connecting homes and businesses across NSW with new generation and storage.
A shunt reactor is a large absorber of reactive power that improves the efficiency, stability, and reliability of long electricity transmission lines.
The HumeLink shunt reactors each weigh more than 120 tonnes and are some of the first three phase 500-kV reactors used in Australia. They will be installed at Transgrid’s Maragle, Bannaby and Gugaa substations.
They will provide reactive power compensation in a complex 500-kV double circuit line electrical loop as part of the 365-kilometre transmission link.
Hitachi Energy Australia Managing Director Bernard Norton said the reactors will become part of a stronger and more resilient electricity system in Australia.
“These are critical pieces of electrical infrastructure. They are the silent guardians of the power system,” Mr. Norton said.
“Each one is like a giant electrical sponge, working to soak up excess reactive power, bringing the voltage back to a safe, stable level in these sorts of long transmission lines.
HumeLink will provide a stronger connection between electricity generation and the homes and business that depend on it. This sort of interconnection in our electricity system builds the resilience that is needed for a sustainable and growing economy. That’s why a resilient and secure electricity grid is a national strategic asset.
Hitachi Energy’s service team is leading the on-site assembly, installation, and testing activities for all six shunt reactors, along with delivery and installation of 28 high-voltage circuit breakers.
This includes Hitachi Energy service specialists and locally based Australian subcontractors that will ensure the reactors are safely integrated into the NSW transmission network.
“This project demonstrates the value of maintaining strong local field service capabilities that can support major transmission infrastructure projects across Australia,” Mr Norton said.
“This expertise in high-voltage equipment installation is critical to transitioning transmission assets into operation and meeting our net-zero targets.”
The six shunt reactors were manufactured at Hitachi Energy's advanced transformer and shunt reactor facility in Chongqing, China, one of the company's key global manufacturing hubs serving the growing demand for worldwide grid infrastructure.
After arriving at Port Kembla, just south of Sydney, each unit was transported over approximately 480 kilometres by heavy-haul convoy before being delivered to its designated substation site.
Final commissioning of the shunt reactors is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Hitachi Energy is a global leader in electrification, powering the electricity era to meet the energy demands of today, and the next 25 years. As the energy arm of Hitachi Group, over three billion people depend on our pioneering, mission-critical technologies to power their daily lives. With over a century of innovation, we are addressing the most urgent energy challenge of our time: driving the evolution of the world’s energy system to ensure abundant, secure, affordable, and sustainable power for today’s generation and the next. With an unparalleled installed base in over 140 countries, we are the grid ecosystem partner across the utility, industry, data center, and transportation sectors. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ over 56,000 people in 60 countries and generate revenues of around $20 billion USD.
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