30.July
Trench Group Opens Its First HSP Plant in the U.S. to Support the Expansion of America’s Power Grids
A Major Investment in U.S. High-Voltage Manufacturing
HSP US, a subsidiary of Trench Group, has officially launched its inaugural U.S. manufacturing site in Charlotte, marking a strategic $60 million commitment to domestic production of high-voltage transformer bushings ranging from 25kV to 765kV—components essential to advancing North America’s power grid modernization efforts.
The new 170,000-square-foot facility is projected to generate up to 140 engineering and manufacturing positions in Charlotte by 2030—nearly double initial projections. With scalable infrastructure, the site can expand annual output from the initial 3,500 bushings to over 10,000 units, underscoring Trench Group’s long-term confidence in the expanding North American energy market.
Constructed and brought online in just 18 months, the Charlotte plant brings HSP’s advanced dry-type bushing technology closer to key North American clients. This proximity supports utilities, transformer manufacturers, and major energy consumers responding to aging infrastructure and surging electricity demands driven by data centers, industrial growth, and transportation electrification.
Global power networks are undergoing rapid transformation due to escalating electricity demand, with the United States emerging as a pivotal market in this shift.
With over 130 years of expertise in high-voltage systems, Trench Group is reinforcing its U.S. footprint through this Charlotte investment, enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities to support a more resilient and dependable energy future.Dr. Bahadir Basdere, President & CEO, Trench Group
Momentum Builds for High-Voltage U.S. Power Projects
The launch of the HSP facility coincides with a pivotal moment in U.S. energy demand. A 2026 NEMA study forecasts a surge in electricity consumption exceeding 55% by 2050. To meet this demand, investor-owned utilities—serving the majority of American households—are expected to invest $1.4 trillion by 2030 in grid upgrades, according to the Edison Electric Institute.
Building on Trench Group’s established manufacturing presence in Canada, where two facilities are already operational, the Charlotte plant responds to accelerating demand across North America. In the first half of 2026, the region accounted for approximately 50% of the company’s total order volume, with North American orders rising nearly 400% since 2024.
As utilities pursue larger, more efficient transmission corridors, 765 kV high-voltage infrastructure is becoming the backbone of the future U.S. grid—enabling efficient long-distance power transfer, minimizing line losses, and supporting rapidly growing load centers. Recently, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) selected Trench Group to support Texas’s first 765kV transmission-line project.
As the U.S. constructs its 765kV transmission network, these initiatives demand proven technology, deep engineering knowledge, and a trusted partner familiar with extra-high-voltage complexities.
Having a domestic supplier like HSP manufacturing on U.S. soil offers significant advantages—shorter lead times, a more secure supply chain, and enhanced grid reliability. HSP’s investment is precisely the kind of commitment our energy infrastructure requires, and we’re proud to collaborate with them.Jason Neal, President Hyosung HICO, Senior Executive VP HICO America
Charlotte’s Leading Role in Advancing U.S. Production for 765kV Transmission
The Charlotte site ranks among the most advanced high-voltage bushing manufacturing facilities in the United States. It features full vertical integration, cutting-edge autoclaves and lathe systems, and complete production capabilities for dry-type transformer bushings—including resin-impregnated paper (RIP) and resin-impregnated synthetic (RIS)—across voltage ranges from 25 kV to 765 kV. The plant is also positioned to expand into high-voltage direct current (HVDC) applications as demand grows.
In addition, the facility includes two high-voltage testing laboratories capable of testing bushings up to 2,800kV—one of the most powerful testing capacities in North America—providing customers with access to local validation for the most demanding transmission environments.
Charlotte offers HSP US the skilled workforce, operational scale, and strategic location needed to serve key players transforming North America’s energy landscape.
With partnerships established with leading transformer OEMs and hyperscalers, we’re equipped to accelerate grid modernization, meet AI-driven power demands, and deliver long-term energy reliability through local expertise, faster supply chains, and closer technical collaboration.Nils von Dietman, CEO, HSP US
The 765 kV bushings produced in Charlotte are integral to Trench Group’s global high-voltage solutions portfolio, which integrates critical components such as bushings, instrument transformers, coils, and reactors. This integrated approach minimizes interface risks and ensures reliable performance across complex extra-high-voltage systems.
With assembly operations already in progress, Trench Group anticipates first customer deliveries by the end of 2026. Once at full capacity, the facility is expected to produce up to 3,500 HSP bushings annually.
Investing in Next-Generation Workers and ‘Buy America’
Engineered to meet Build America, Buy America (BABA) standards, the Charlotte plant is set to become the first U.S.-based manufacturer of dry-type bushings at the 765 kV level, offering a domestic sourcing option for projects subject to federal content requirements.
Robert Harrington, Mayor of Charlotte, stated: “HSP US’s investment exemplifies the type of initiative that cements Charlotte’s status as a center for advanced manufacturing, global enterprise, and energy innovation. This facility brings high-tech jobs, cutting-edge technology, and new opportunities for residents, while addressing one of the nation’s most critical infrastructure challenges—building a stronger, more resilient electric grid.”
As HSP establishes its presence in the region, it is also committing to STEM education and workforce development programs that create career pathways and build essential skills for long-term grid modernization. The company is currently collaborating with Central Piedmont Community College on an apprenticeship program that blends classroom learning with hands-on training at the Charlotte plant.
Marcia Colson, Associate Vice President, Workforce and Business Development, Central Piedmont Community College, noted: “Initiatives like this bridge education with real-world opportunity. Through our partnership with HSP US, students can earn while they learn, gain practical experience in advanced electrical manufacturing, and launch careers in one of the most vital infrastructure sectors of tomorrow. This apprenticeship strengthens our workforce, supports our students, and prepares Charlotte for the next wave of energy and manufacturing innovation.”
About Trench Group
Trench Group is a leading global provider of high-voltage grid components and systems, with a presence in power transmission networks worldwide.
Headquartered in Berlin, the company brings over a century of engineering excellence to the design and production of high-voltage solutions that address core challenges in modern power infrastructure—connecting systems, monitoring performance, and ensuring grid reliability.
As global electricity demand grows and power grids evolve, Trench Group enables the critical infrastructure needed for a sustainable energy future, offering products such as bushings, cable terminations, instrument transformers, coils, and reactors.
Since becoming independent in April 2024, the company has doubled its annual revenue to more than 1 billion Euro.
Trench Group operates 11 manufacturing facilities across 8 countries on 4 continents and employs over 3,000 people, with plans to expand its workforce to 4,000 by 2030.
About HSP US
HSP US, a Trench Group company, produces high-voltage transformer bushings tailored for the North American market. Its Charlotte, North Carolina facility marks Trench Group’s first U.S. manufacturing plant and is designed to manufacture advanced dry-type bushings for applications spanning distribution and transmission systems to extra-high-voltage grid infrastructure.