- A new Power Electronics Center of Competence in Cary, North Carolina, will localize engineering, testing, and system integration to support large-scale energy projects across North America
- The investment will accelerate time-to-power, strengthen power quality for utilities, AI data centers and other customers, and enhance grid stabilization
- The Center will also provide cybersecurity solutions to support operators’ commitment to protecting critical infrastructure
RALEIGH, N.C., April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hitachi Energy today announced plans for a new $10 million USD Power Electronics Center of Competence in Cary, North Carolina, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening the North American power grid. Scheduled for inauguration in the fall of 2026, the 32,000‑square‑foot state‑of‑the‑art facility will create 150 new jobs and significantly expand local engineering, testing, and system integration capabilities, accelerating the delivery of solutions to help utilities and developers meet surging electricity demand.
The investment was celebrated during an on-site event with the U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. The visit highlighted the ongoing construction at the site, and workforce development and hiring plans, all underscoring the strategic importance of expanding domestic power electronics capabilities to deliver reliable power faster and more affordably.
The expansion in North Carolina is part of Hitachi Energy’s historic $1 billion USD investment in U.S. manufacturing announced in 2025, which includes the expansion of several facilities and a new large power transformer factory in South Boston, Virginia. It also aligns with the company’s strengthened service capabilities through its investment in Shermco. Together, these efforts reinforce domestic supply chains, increase access to essential grid technologies, and improve the company’s ability to support customers quickly through localized capabilities at a time when reliable, high‑quality electricity is becoming central to economic growth and energy security.
Rapid AI data center expansion, industrial electrification, integration of new energy sources, and population growth continue to put unprecedented strain on the grid. U.S. electricity demand is projected to grow 35–50 percent until 20401, while Canada’s demand is forecast to increase 62 percent by 20502, signaling a region-wide step change in power needs.
The Power Electronics Center of Competence will bring deep domain expertise and advanced operational capabilities together in one location, while building a highly skilled local workforce close to customers. By localizing design, performance validation, and the deployment of standardized, modular solutions, the center will help utilities and developers add more power to the grid quickly, reduce congestion, improve voltage stability, and operate grids more safely and reliably.
“Thanks to President Trump, America is experiencing a true American energy comeback resulting in more investments in North Carolinian communities and more affordable, reliable, and secure American energy,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “Hitachi Energy’s expansion in North Carolina will create hundreds of jobs, make electricity more affordable, and help develop the technology and workforce needed to modernize and secure our grid.”
“World-class companies like Hitachi know that North Carolina is the best place to do business in America, and we welcome these high-skilled jobs coming to our state,” said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. “North Carolina is home to innovation, which is why Hitachi is doing this grid stabilization work here.”
“Hitachi Energy’s expansion in Cary reflects North Carolina’s strength in supporting the advanced technologies and infrastructure needed to meet growing electricity demand,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “We’re proud to see this investment create 150 new jobs while reinforcing our state’s leadership in energy innovation and reliability.”
“Grid stabilization is fundamental to providing reliable, resilient energy for North Carolina families and businesses,” said Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02). “As Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology’s Energy Subcommittee, I know the importance of grid modernization and am excited to see our state move to meet today’s growing demand for electricity. I welcome Hitachi to the Research Triangle to continue our tradition of bringing forth the best in scientific innovation and business and look forward to their work helping to power North Carolina’s future.”
“We are in the ‘age of electricity,’ where demand is growing faster and the grid has become the new frontline of energy security,” said Marco Berardi, SVP and Head of Grid & Power Quality Solutions and Service, Hitachi Energy. “As AI data centers reshape consumption patterns and electrification accelerates across industries, this new center will strengthen our ability to respond quickly with localized expertise, helping customers maintain grid stability, resilience and reliability.”
The Center will support Hitachi Energy’s power electronics technologies, including STATCOMs, Fixed Series Compensation (FSC), Synchronous Condenser Systems (SCS), and advanced grid control devices. These solutions enable customers to increase transmission capacity without building new power lines, while enhancing the stability and resilience of large, complex electrical networks.
In addition, the facility will serve as Hitachi Energy’s global hub for advanced cybersecurity offerings, helping operators protect critical infrastructure in an increasingly sophisticated digital threat landscape. By integrating secure‑by‑design system architectures, continuous monitoring, and rapid incident-response capabilities, the center strengthens customers’ ability to safeguard across the convergence of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) environments, within grid connection solutions. Combined with its engineering expertise in power quality, high-voltage direct current (HVDC), and grid-stabilizing systems, the center will equip utilities to modernize their infrastructure while maintaining secure, resilient operations.
References
1 Clean Power Org
2 The Transition Accelerator
About Hitachi Energy
Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader in electrification, powering a sustainable energy future with innovative power grid technologies with digital at the core. Over three billion people depend on our technologies to power their daily lives. With over a century in pioneering mission-critical technologies like high-voltage, transformers, automation, and power electronics, we are addressing the most urgent energy challenge of our time – balancing soaring electricity demand, while decarbonizing the power system. With an unparalleled installed base in over 140 countries, we co-create and build long-term partnerships across the utility, industry, transportation, data centers, and infrastructure sectors. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ over 50,000 people in 60 countries and generate revenues of around $16 billion USD.
https://www.hitachienergy.com
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About Hitachi, Ltd.
Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2024 (ended March 31, 2025) totaled 9,783.3 billion yen, with 618 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 280,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com.
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