Hitachi Energy to build Canada's first transformer insulation factory in London, Ontario

$479 million investment will strengthen Canada’s domestic electricity supply chain and support growing demand for grid infrastructure across North America

LONDON, Ontario, October 16, 2026 – Invest Ontario joined Hitachi Energy today as the company announced plans to invest $479 million to build a Transformer Insulation Centre in London, Ontario. The project will establish Canada's first manufacturing facility for transformer insulation pressboard, a critical material used in power and distribution transformers. Invest Ontario is prepared to provide a conditional grant of up to $20 million from the Invest Ontario Fund to support the project, subject to the execution of a definitive funding agreement. The project is expected to create over 100 jobs.

As electricity demand continues to grow across Canada and North America, utilities are investing in the infrastructure needed to power homes, businesses, industries and communities. Hitachi Energy's investment will help meet that demand by establishing domestic production of transformer insulation pressboard, an engineered cellulose material used to electrically isolate components inside power and distribution transformers for the first time in Canada. The facility will reduce reliance on imports and strengthening supply chain resilience for essential grid infrastructure.

As utilities modernize and expand electricity networks, reliable access to transformer insulation materials is becoming increasingly important to maintaining the safe and dependable flow of electricity. Establishing domestic manufacturing capacity will help strengthen the electricity supply chain while improving access to critical components needed to support growing energy demand.

According to Hitachi Energy, the 21,000-squre-metre facility will be the first transformer pressboard factory in Canada and will become the largest facility of its kind globally.

Ontario was selected for the investment because of its access to world-class talent, proximity to customers and raw materials, and strategic position within North America's advanced manufacturing and energy supply chains.

By combining Canadian pulp resources, Ontario’s advanced manufacturing expertise and Hitachi Energy's global leadership in power technologies, the Transformer Insulation Factory will strengthen Canada's ability to build and maintain the infrastructure needed to support long-term economic growth and energy security.

The investment will also create new opportunities for Canadian pulp producers while reinforcing Ontario's position as a leading destination for advanced manufacturing, energy infrastructure and supply chain investment.

In the face of global economic uncertainty, our government continues to foster the competitive conditions needed for global companies to confidently expand their presence in Ontario and invest in long-term projects. We are proud to stand as a partner to Hitachi Energy’s latest investment, which will create new, high-value jobs for local workers and further position Ontario as a central hub for advanced manufacturing projects powering the economy and future.

Hon. Vic Fedeli

Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward for Canadian manufacturing and our country’s energy future. By establishing Canada’s first pressboard manufacturing line here in London, we are bringing a critical capability closer to home, strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting the infrastructure needed to meet growing electricity demand. This investment reflects our long-term commitment to Canadian industry, talent and innovation in an electric economy.

Carla Vicente

Country Managing Director, Canada, Hitachi Energy

Ontario plays an important role in powering communities and economies across Canada and North America. As demand for electricity continues to grow, so does the need for the infrastructure behind it. By establishing domestic production of a critical transformer component, Hitachi Energy is helping strengthen the supply chains needed to support grid expansion while reinforcing Ontario's position as a hub for advanced manufacturing, energy infrastructure and investment. This project reflects what's possible when innovative companies and strong partners come together to build for the future.

Khawar Nasim

CEOr, Invest Ontario

For more information about Invest Ontario, please visit InvestOntario.ca.