ABB Invests $200 Million Across Europe to Accelerate Grid Transformation
ABB will invest $200 million over the next three years across Europe to accelerate grid transformation. This investment aims to expand production capacity for high and ultra-high voltage distribution equipment, supporting the transition to next-generation technologies and modernizing power infrastructure. Projects will span six countries, including Italy.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 18:30
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ABB today announced an investment of approximately $200 million over the next three years in its high and ultra-high voltage equipment manufacturing capabilities across Europe. This investment aims to expand production capacity, accelerate the transition to next-generation distribution technologies, and strengthen supply to customers modernizing their power infrastructure. Target customers include power utilities, general industry, and the rapidly growing data center market.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the share of electricity in final energy consumption is projected to increase from approximately 20% currently to about 30% by 2030, highlighting the urgency and scale of grid expansion. "This $200 million investment will strengthen ABB's European high and ultra-high voltage equipment manufacturing and technological capabilities, supporting customers in responding to increasing electricity demand and evolving power grids," said Morten Wierod, CEO of ABB. "Demand is driven by key structural trends such as advanced grids, renewable energy integration, data center market growth, and the transition to more sustainable technologies. This investment will enable us to expand production capacity, improve supply capabilities, and shorten delivery times, helping our customers in Europe and worldwide adapt to the changing energy environment.
### Investment in European Manufacturing Capacity
This investment will enhance ABB's supply system for critical products such as high and ultra-high voltage switchgear and grid automation technologies. $100 million will be invested in Dalmine, Italy, to establish a new manufacturing facility. This facility will meet the increasing demand for air-insulated and SF6-gas-free switchgear and circuit breakers. A further $100 million investment will be allocated to production capacity expansion projects at factories in Rakovski, Bulgaria; Vaasa, Finland; Ratingen, Germany; Skien, Norway; and Przasnysz, Poland, aiming to expand the production of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), vacuum interrupters, and protection relays for more reliable and stable power distribution.
This program follows recent investments in the UK and Hungary. In Kecskemét, Hungary, approximately $15 million was invested to expand research and development and production capacity for connector technology. This will enhance the reliability of high and ultra-high voltage distribution networks and strengthen ABB's portfolio of grid resilience solutions for power and renewable energy customers.
In Nottingham, UK, approximately $35 million was invested to expand the production of grounding and lightning protection technologies. This will strengthen the supply of solutions to protect critical infrastructure, buildings, data centers, and communication/transport networks from lightning strikes and power surges.
These initiatives demonstrate ABB's policy of building a stable and reliable manufacturing system for technologies that connect and protect evolving power grids.
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, striving to enable a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By combining engineering and digitalization expertise, we help industries improve performance and achieve excellent results by enhancing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. We call this "Engineered to Outrun." With a history of over 140 years and more than 110,000 employees worldwide, ABB is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the share of electricity in final energy consumption is projected to increase from approximately 20% currently to about 30% by 2030, highlighting the urgency and scale of grid expansion. "This $200 million investment will strengthen ABB's European high and ultra-high voltage equipment manufacturing and technological capabilities, supporting customers in responding to increasing electricity demand and evolving power grids," said Morten Wierod, CEO of ABB. "Demand is driven by key structural trends such as advanced grids, renewable energy integration, data center market growth, and the transition to more sustainable technologies. This investment will enable us to expand production capacity, improve supply capabilities, and shorten delivery times, helping our customers in Europe and worldwide adapt to the changing energy environment.
### Investment in European Manufacturing Capacity
This investment will enhance ABB's supply system for critical products such as high and ultra-high voltage switchgear and grid automation technologies. $100 million will be invested in Dalmine, Italy, to establish a new manufacturing facility. This facility will meet the increasing demand for air-insulated and SF6-gas-free switchgear and circuit breakers. A further $100 million investment will be allocated to production capacity expansion projects at factories in Rakovski, Bulgaria; Vaasa, Finland; Ratingen, Germany; Skien, Norway; and Przasnysz, Poland, aiming to expand the production of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), vacuum interrupters, and protection relays for more reliable and stable power distribution.
This program follows recent investments in the UK and Hungary. In Kecskemét, Hungary, approximately $15 million was invested to expand research and development and production capacity for connector technology. This will enhance the reliability of high and ultra-high voltage distribution networks and strengthen ABB's portfolio of grid resilience solutions for power and renewable energy customers.
In Nottingham, UK, approximately $35 million was invested to expand the production of grounding and lightning protection technologies. This will strengthen the supply of solutions to protect critical infrastructure, buildings, data centers, and communication/transport networks from lightning strikes and power surges.
These initiatives demonstrate ABB's policy of building a stable and reliable manufacturing system for technologies that connect and protect evolving power grids.
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, striving to enable a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By combining engineering and digitalization expertise, we help industries improve performance and achieve excellent results by enhancing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. We call this "Engineered to Outrun." With a history of over 140 years and more than 110,000 employees worldwide, ABB is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com