Hitachi Energy boosts Pennsylvania investments to more than $70 million to meet surging demand for sustainable grid infrastructure

Hitachi Energy today announced that it has increased its investments to more than $70 million USD in Pennsylvania. Originally announced in 2024 as part of a $155 million nationwide investment in U.S. manufacturing capacity, this expansion will help address fast-growing demand for sustainable electrical grid infrastructure, including the company’s EconiQ®, sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)-free high-voltage switchgear and breakers in the region.

The largest investment to date in high-voltage products in North America, this initiative will dramatically increase the Mount Pleasant facility’s ability to produce key equipment such as Dead Tank Breakers (DTB), Plug and Switch Systems (PASS), and other high-voltage products and components.

A major component of this investment includes the implementation of a state-of-the-art gas management system for switchgear production. EconiQ is Hitachi Energy’s eco-efficient switchgear technology, which eliminates the use of SF₆, the most potent greenhouse gas. North America has been an early trailblazer in the adoption of EconiQ, and this expansion reinforces Hitachi Energy’s leadership in this fast-growing market segment. With construction starting this year, the facility is expected to reach full production capacity in 2026.

Part of this investment will support the increased footprint for production of high-voltage components at a new facility in Hunker, Pennsylvania, about seven miles from Mount Pleasant. This facility will feature a dedicated R&D lab and a customer experience center, creating a hub for innovation and collaboration.

Hitachi Energy is also expanding and optimizing shipping areas, ensuring faster and more efficient delivery of critical grid components.

Hitachi Energy’s investments in Westmoreland County are also supported by Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), which has offered a $184,000 Pennsylvania First grant and a $145,000 WEDnetPA grant to train employees.

Beyond expanding production capabilities, this investment will create more than 100 new jobs, reinforcing the company’s commitment to local economic growth while ensuring that North America’s power grid remains reliable and resilient. It will also consolidate Hitachi Energy’s high-voltage services operations into a single location, enhancing efficiency.

Overall, the expanded, optimized footprint will allow for smoother operations, greater flexibility, and increased production, ensuring that the facilities in Westmoreland County continue to operate as a strategic hub for high-voltage manufacturing and service in North America.

With the need for robust and modern electric grids accelerating, the demand for advanced technologies like EconiQ grows strongly. By increasing its investment in Westmoreland County and ramping up EconiQ production, Hitachi Energy is ensuring that it can deliver critical components at scale to meet the region’s evolving energy needs.