# Hitachi Energy A global power grids, transformers, and high-voltage equipment company. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, and wholly owned by Hitachi Ltd (Japan). CEO: Andreas Schierenbeck. Formerly ABB Power Grids — Hitachi acquired an 80.1% stake from ABB in July 2020, rebranded the company as Hitachi Energy in 2021, and took full ownership in late 2022. The combination merged ABB's century-old grid technology portfolio with Hitachi's industrial scale, creating one of the world's largest power equipment manufacturers. ## Transformers Hitachi Energy is one of the world's largest manufacturers of power transformers, from distribution-level units to ultra-high-voltage models used in grid backbone infrastructure. Lead times for its large power transformers have stretched to 48-60 months as of 2026 — a reflection of the global capacity crunch driven by AI data center demand, grid modernization, and renewable energy interconnection. The company is investing heavily in new capacity, including a Rs. 4,000 crore power transformer factory in Gujarat, India, expected to commission by December 2028. ## HVDC Technology Hitachi Energy is the world leader in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technology, which is critical for moving large amounts of power over long distances with minimal losses. HVDC is increasingly important for connecting remote renewable generation sites and distant data center campuses to the grid — a key infrastructure challenge in [[The Quest for 90 Gigawatts]]. ## AI and Data Center Demand The company's order backlog has surged to record levels. Hitachi Energy India reported its highest-ever order backlog of INR 32,222 crore in Q1 FY27 (April-June 2026), with data centers as a major demand driver followed by rail, metro, industries, and renewables. The company retains market leadership in utilities, HVDC projects, industrial solutions, and data center power infrastructure. ## KB Relevance Hitachi Energy is a critical node in the physical infrastructure layer that [[Artificial Intelligence]] depends on. Its transformers and HVDC systems are the long-lead-time bottlenecks that determine how fast data center capacity can actually come online. The company's order backlog is a real-time indicator of how seriously the grid is being stressed by AI demand — making it a key company to track alongside [[The Quest for 90 Gigawatts]]. ## See Also - [[Artificial Intelligence]] - [[The Quest for 90 Gigawatts]] - [[NVIDIA]] - [[Lancium]] - [[Stargate Project]]