ABB to Invest USD 200 Million Across Europe to Expand Grid Technologies Manufacturing

Zurich-based ABB has announced plans to invest around USD 200 million over the next three years to expand its medium-voltage manufacturing operations across Europe, aiming to strengthen grid infrastructure and accelerate the adoption of next-generation power distribution technologies.

The investment program will increase production capacity for medium-voltage technologies used in electrical distribution networks, including SF₆-free switchgear, grid automation products, gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), vacuum interrupters, and protection relays. The company said that the expansion is intended to support utilities, industrial customers, and rapidly growing data center markets amid rising electricity demand and grid modernization efforts.

A major part of the investment includes a new USD 100 million manufacturing facility in Dalmine, Italy, focused on producing air-insulated and SF₆-free medium-voltage switchgear and breakers. ABB will also allocate another USD 100 million toward capacity expansion projects at its existing factories in Rakovski, Bulgaria; Vaasa, Finland; Ratingen, Germany; Skien, Norway; and Przasnysz, Poland.

ABB Chief Executive Officer Morten Wierod said that increasing electricity demand, renewable energy integration, data center growth, and the transition toward sustainable technologies are driving the need for stronger and more resilient grid infrastructure.

According to the International Energy Agency, electricity’s share of global final energy consumption is projected to increase from around 20 percent currently to nearly 30 percent by 2030, underscoring the scale of upcoming grid expansion requirements.

The company said that the latest investment builds on recent projects in Hungary and the United Kingdom. In Kecskemét, Hungary, ABB invested around USD 15 million to expand research, development, and production capabilities for connector technologies used in medium-voltage networks. In Nottingham, UK, the company invested approximately USD 35 million to expand manufacturing of earthing and lightning protection technologies designed for critical infrastructure, buildings, data centers, and transportation networks.

ABB said that the investments are aimed at strengthening resilient manufacturing capabilities and improving the availability and delivery timelines of grid technologies for customers in Europe and global markets.