Features | 16.12.2025 | 4 min read
Hitachi Energy will deliver five grid connection solutions featuring SF₆-free EconiQ® gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) to Svenska kraftnät
From left to right: Tobias Hansson (Hitachi Energy), Thomas Pålsson (Svenska kraftnät), Niklas Persson (Hitachi Energy), Lars Nordén (Svenska kraftnät), and Andre Gargi (Hitachi Energy).
Electricity demand is increasing worldwide in cities, driven by population growth, industrial decarbonization, the rise of e-mobility, digitalization, and the rapid expansion of data centers¹. This intensifies pressure on transmission networks, making reliable access to power a defining factor for sustainable development.
In the Stockholm region, Sweden, this challenge is especially pronounced. Reduced local electricity production combined with the development of new electricity-dependent infrastructure, such as electric vehicle charging, has pushed the grid to the brink. Grid constraints have already led to rejected applications for increased energy use², affecting housing developments, transport systems, and digital services.
To ease pressure on the grid and meet future demand, Svenska kraftnät is driving the Greater Stockholm West initiative, a strategic program to reinforce and expand the transmission network in and around the capital. As part of this effort, Hitachi Energy applied its system integration expertise to deliver a solution tailored to local requirements while ensuring high reliability and availability. The company will provide five 420-kilovolt (kV) grid connection solutions featuring EconiQ® in Kappetorp, Kronåsen, Råcksta, Björksätra, and Anneberg. These installations will extend the 400-kV grid further into urban Stockholm, replacing aging infrastructure and significantly boosting capacity.
In delivering these solutions, sustainability remains central. Hitachi Energy’s EconiQ portfolio is designed to advance a carbon-neutral energy future by reducing environmental impact across the lifecycle of high-voltage products. A defining feature is the use of SF₆-free EconiQ gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), which eliminates a potent greenhouse gas and cuts CO₂ emissions by 99% compared to conventional SF₆-based equipment. This innovation delivers exceptional environmental performance with a compact footprint—ideal for dense urban environments.
Once completed, the upgraded network will enable up to 5 additional terawatt-hours (TWh) of annual electricity consumption2, representing an increase of approximately 20 percent compared to recent years3. That is enough to power approximately 1 million Swedish households4 - nearly half of all homes in Stockholm County.
“This project reflects the strength of our collaboration with Svenska kraftnät and its commitment to building a more sustainable and resilient energy system that will benefit the local region,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Grid Integration Business Unit and Chairman of Hitachi Energy Sweden. “We are proud to support its vision with innovative solutions that address technical, environmental, and societal needs.”
The scope also includes control and protection systems, auxiliary power systems, installation, and commissioning. These solutions are designed to meet performance requirements while supporting the reliable delivery of electricity to one of Europe’s fastest-growing urban regions.
The $230 million contract between Hitachi Energy and Svenska kraftnät is a continuation of a trusted relationship built over years of collaboration. It reflects a shared commitment to enabling Sweden’s energy transition and ensuring its globally infrastructure is ready for the future. Previous joint projects have included the delivery of power transformers and shunt reactors, as well as Sweden’s largest-ever power quality solution order, which is helping increase transmission capacity and integrate more renewable energy into the grid.
The Greater Stockholm West initiative is part of Svenska kraftnät’s Grid Development Plan 2024–20336, which outlines the construction of 30 new grid connections and the renewal of nearly half of the existing network over the next decade. These investments are crucial to achieving Sweden’s climate targets and supporting the electrification of transportation, industry, and heating.
To meet growing demand for clean and flexible energy systems, Hitachi Energy is expanding its footprint in Sweden to strengthen local manufacturing capacity and attract talent. These efforts are integral to meeting the growing global demand for clean and flexible energy systems. They are part of the company’s plan to invest $9 billion globally by 2027 in manufacturing capacity, engineering, digitalization, R&D, and partnerships.
