Stafford, UK (September 24, 2024) – GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) has today announced the expansion of its existing manufacturing facilities in Stafford, UK. This expansion is driven by the increasing demand for High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission systems, which are crucial for powering renewable energy projects across Europe, Asia, and North America, while also facilitating the UK’s energy transition.
The expansion will focus on two key locations of its Electrification Systems’ Grid Solutions division in Stafford:
Stafford HVDC Facility at Redhill – HVDC and Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) valves: This facility is expected to double its valve manufacturing capacity by installing an additional Voltage-Sourced Converter (VSC) valve assembly line. These valves, which are regarded as the “heart” of an HVDC converter station, enable efficient power transmission from offshore wind farms and other renewable energy sources to the grid.
Stafford Transformer Facility at Lichfield Rd – HVDC converter transformers: Significant upgrades will take place at this site to increase capacity and improve the production of HVDC converter transformers, essential for integrating renewable energy into the grid. Transformers manufactured here have recently been deployed in the North Sea to support the 1.4 GW Sofia Offshore Wind Farm.
“Helping our customers deliver sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy to people worldwide is central to GE Vernova’s mission,” said Philippe Piron, CEO of GE Vernova’s Electrification Systems business. “By expanding our Stafford operations, we are reinforcing our ability to support the global energy transition and creating new jobs as a result.”
This expansion represents GE Vernova’s second major round of investment in its Stafford facilities. In 2018, the company established one of the world’s most advanced HVDC valve test facilities and a control system testing center, which now supports large-scale testing and validation of HVDC systems for projects across Europe and beyond.
As part of this expansion, GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions division expects to create approximately 600 new jobs in the UK between 2023 and the end of 2025, including hundreds of engineers and skilled workers to assist with the assembly and testing of the valves.
GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions division recently entered into an agreement to supply HVDC systems for five of TenneT’s offshore wind projects. These initiatives are part of the Dutch-German Transmission System Operator’s ambition to connect 40 GW of offshore wind farms to the high-voltage grids in the Netherlands and Germany. The valves and transformer technologies for these projects are set to be manufactured at the Stafford facilities, further emphasizing the critical role these sites play in Europe’s energy transition.
GE Vernova operates three manufacturing sites in Stafford. In addition to the HVDC and Transformer sites, the UK’s only large-scale grid manufacturing facility also houses a Grid Automation site at Redhill. The ongoing expansion ensures Stafford remains a pivotal hub for the production of clean energy technologies, meeting both local and global energy needs.
With over 120 years of experience in the UK, GE Vernova equipment contributes to more than 30% of the country’s electricity generation. Outside of Stafford, GE Vernova also operates another major manufacturing facility in Rugby.
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About GE Vernova
GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-driven global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments, supported by its accelerator businesses. With over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and provide electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and quality of life. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., GE Vernova employs approximately 75,000 people across more than 100 countries worldwide. Guided by the company’s mission, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future.
GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions division empowers the world with advanced grid technologies and systems, enabling the transmission and distribution of power from generation points to consumers, and supporting a decarbonized and secure energy transition.