ABB's Coalition

Company invests $200 million in European switchgear, medium-voltage projects

ABB announced May 11 that it is investing around $200 million in its medium-voltage manufacturing capabilities across Europe over the next three years to "expand production capacity, accelerate the transition to next-generation technologies for power distribution and strengthen supply for customers that are modernizing their power infrastructure." This reportedly includes utilities, industry, and rapidly growing data center markets.

A look at ABB's new facility in Dalmine, Italy.--ABB photo

According to the International Energy Agency, electricity’s share of final energy consumption is expected to rise from around 20 percent today to nearly 30 percent by 2030, highlighting the urgency and scale of grid expansion. “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,” said Morten Wierod, ABB’s Chief Executive Officer. “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, empowering them to adapt to the changing energy landscape.”

The investment includes medium-voltage switchgear and grid automation technologies. It is headlined by a new $100 million facility in Dalmine, Italy, to support growing demand for air-insulated and SF₆-free switchgear and breakers. A further $100 million investment is for capacity expansion projects across factories in Bulgaria (Rakovski), Finland (Vaasa), Germany (Ratingen), Norway (Skien), and Poland (Przasnysz), scaling production of technologies such as gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), vacuum interrupters, and relays, enabling more reliable and resilient power distribution.