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The Government of Canada announces significant investment to strengthen Canada's electricity and forest products supply chains. Oct 16, 2026, 09:15 ET Investment will support Hitachi Energy's new transformer insulation factory, Canada's first pressboard manufacturing facility LONDON, ON, Oct. 16, 2026 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, announced a total federal investment of $30 million in Hitachi Energy Canada Inc., supporting a $478.8 million dollar project to establish Canada's first electrical-grade pressboard manufacturing facility in London, Ontario. As growing power demand is being driven by grid modernization, electrification, renewable energy deployment and data centre expansion, the federal government is investing to position Canada as a strategic supplier within North America's energy infrastructure supply chain and abroad. At the same time, it is supporting Canadian forest products amid unjustified tariffs and changing global pressures and the industry more broadly as it modernizes and transforms for long-term competitiveness. The federal investment includes $20 million through the Strategic Response Fund and $10 million through the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program. This investment will help Hitachi Energy implement innovative manufacturing technologies and automation in a state-of-the-art facility to enhance production efficiency and turn wood fibre into up to 20,000 tonnes annually of electrical-grade pressboard and laminated insulation materials for high-voltage transformers. The investment will not only strengthen domestic supply chain capabilities but also support the growth and competitiveness of Canada's forest sector by creating new markets for Canadian forest products. This project will generate significant economic benefits for Canadians. As part of its commitment to growth in Canada, Hitachi Energy will maintain its existing workforce of approximately 1,250 employees and grow its Canadian workforce to 1,765 employees. This includes the creation of more than 100 new jobs at its London facility. It will also create new business opportunities for domestic suppliers, including Canada's forest products sector, by sourcing key inputs for transformer insulation materials locally. The facility will be the first of its kind in Canada and will supply Hitachi Energy's transformer manufacturing operations in Varennes, Quebec, and other transformer and insulation manufacturers in North American and global markets. The federal investment in Hitachi Energy's project is advancing the National Electricity Strategy's goals of building at scale and taking concrete steps to bolster Canada's energy security by strengthening our domestic grid and power capacity with clean, affordable and reliable energy for generations to come. The project also advances the federal government's efforts to support Canada's forest products sector as it pivots to grow, including through the upcoming forest sector strategy. The strategy-the first ever for the sector led by the federal government-will focus on creating new opportunities for Canadian forest products, supporting advanced manufacturing and innovation, and strengthening domestic value chains that connect Canada's forest sector to growing markets. In a more complex and unpredictable world, the Government of Canada is investing strategically to build clean, affordable and reliable energy systems, create new market opportunities for domestic suppliers and support sustainable growth in the forest sector. "Canada is strengthening its electricity system to build a more connected, reliable and efficient grid. By investing in the critical infrastructure needed to power our future, we are supporting economic growth, creating well-paying jobs and strengthening Canada's economic security. Our government's investment in Hitachi Energy, along with the National Electricity Strategy, will deliver real results and help secure Canada's energy future." - The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions "This project demonstrates that there are high-value opportunities for forest products in critical energy infrastructure. By supporting innovative projects like this one, we are supporting Canadian manufacturing, strengthening Canada's electricity supply chains and opening new markets for forest products. This project will help build a stronger and more resilient Canadian economy while advancing the visions set out in the National Electricity Strategy and the upcoming federal forest sector strategy." - The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources "In the face of global economic uncertainty, our government continues to foster the competitive conditions needed for global companies to confidently expand their presence in Ontario and invest in long-term projects. We are proud to stand as a partner to Hitachi Energy's latest investment, which will create new, high-value jobs for local workers and further position Ontario as a central hub for advanced manufacturing projects powering the economy and future." - The Honourable Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade "London has long been a city of builders, innovators and skilled workers, and today's announcement reinforces that proud tradition. This investment in Hitachi Energy's new facility will create opportunities for local families, strengthen Canada's energy infrastructure, and position our community at the forefront of the clean economy of the future. I am excited to welcome this investment to London and look forward to the benefits it will bring to our region for years to come." - The Honourable Arielle Kayabaga, Deputy Government House Leader and Member of Parliament for London West "This investment is a significant milestone for London and an important step forward for Canada's economy. By establishing Canada's first electrical-grade pressboard manufacturing facility in our city, we are creating local opportunities, supporting skilled jobs and strengthening London's manufacturing sector. Nationally, this project will bolster domestic supply chains, open new markets for Canadian forest products and help position Canada as a competitive leader in advanced manufacturing and energy infrastructure." - Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for London Centre "Today's announcement marks a significant step forward for Canadian manufacturing and our country's energy future. By establishing Canada's first pressboard manufacturing line here in London, we are bringing a critical capability closer to home, strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting the infrastructure needed to meet growing electricity demand. This investment reflects our long-term commitment to Canadian industry, talent and innovation in an electric economy." - Carla Vicente, Country Managing Director, Canada, Hitachi Energy Canada Inc. Quick facts * Hitachi Energy Canada Inc. is a federally incorporated corporation and a subsidiary of Hitachi Energy, based in Switzerland. Hitachi Energy operates in more than 60 countries and employs approximately 50,000 people worldwide. Its customers include electric utilities, industrial operators, renewable energy developers, transportation providers and data centre operators. * Hitachi Energy Canada develops and supplies transformers, high-voltage equipment, grid automation systems, grid integration solutions and related services for utility, industrial, transportation, renewable energy and infrastructure customers. * The Strategic Response Fund helps Canadian industries innovate, adapt and compete in a changing global economy. It supports large-scale, transformative projects that build economic resilience, strengthen supply chains and protect good jobs in key sectors such as steel, aluminum, automotive, forest products, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. * The IFIT program accelerates the adoption and commercialization of transformative technologies in Canada's forest sector, improving competitiveness and sustainability while diversifying revenue streams. This includes supporting innovative pulp and paper products that replace non-renewable materials, improving fibre efficiency, scaling up mass timber and prefabrication, and strengthening domestic housing production and supply chain resilience. Associated links Stay connected SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Contacts: Gabrielle Landry, Deputy Director, Media Relations, Office of the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]

Hitachi Energy invests $479 million CAD to bring critical transformer manufacturing capability to Canada. Oct 16, 2026, 08:30 ET * New state-of-the-art London, Ontario facility will establish Canada's first pressboard manufacturing line, strengthening domestic manufacturing and North America's transformer supply chain. LONDON, ON, Oct. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Hitachi Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501, "Hitachi"), will invest $479 million CAD (more than $330 million USD) in its insulation and components business in North America with the construction of a new, state-of-the-art Transformer Insulation Factory in London, Ontario, Canada. The investment will establish a critical manufacturing capability that does not currently exist in Canada, strengthening the domestic and North American supply of critical transformer insulation materials while supporting growing electricity demand. In support of this initiative, the Government of Canada announced a $20 million CAD investment through the Strategic Response Fund (SRF), the Government of Ontario announced an up to $20 million CAD investment through the Invest Ontario Fund, and Natural Resources Canada provided an additional $10 million CAD to Hitachi Energy Canada Inc. Expected to be completed by 2028, the planned 21,000-square-meter facility will manufacture electrical insulation pressboard and laminates critical to transformer production and operation and is expected to create over 100 permanent skilled jobs. Featuring Canada's first pressboard manufacturing line and Hitachi Energy's first in the Americas, the facility will bring production of a critical transformer insulation material closer to the North American market. Electricity demand in Canada is growing as new industrial projects, AI and data centres, expanding communities, and electrification place greater demands on the power system. Supporting that growth will require not only new generation and transmission infrastructure, but also the domestic industrial capacity and resilient supply chains needed to build it. Transformers are a critical part of that infrastructure, yet manufacturers continue to face global supply constraints, including limited availability of the specialized insulation materials required for transformer production. "At Hitachi Energy, we are investing not only in manufacturing capacity but also in the infrastructure that underpins the future of energy. The new Transformer Insulation Factory will strengthen supply resilience, support our customers' growth ambitions, and help address one of the most critical bottlenecks in transformer manufacturing," said Helmut Bockshammer, Global Product Group Manager for Insulation & Components, Business Unit Transformers at Hitachi Energy. "As electricity demand continues to rise, we are taking decisive action to ensure the industry has the materials and capabilities needed to build the grids of tomorrow." Transformer insulation materials are vital to transformer performance and reliability. Pressboard insulation enables compact, safe, and cost-effective transformer designs while providing critical electrical insulation and supporting the cooling process within transformers. The longevity and performance of transformers depend heavily on the quality and consistency of these materials. "Canada's National Electricity Strategy sets an ambition to double the capacity of the country's electricity grid by 2050, and delivering that growth will require a stronger domestic supply chain," said Carla Vicente, Managing Country Director, Hitachi Energy Canada. "This investment supports that ambition by bringing new manufacturing capacity for a critical transformer component to Canada and helping build the infrastructure that will power Canadian communities, industries and economic growth for generations to come." The new facility will further strengthen Hitachi Energy's global manufacturing network, complementing existing insulation operations globally and creating a more robust supply ecosystem for transformer manufacturers worldwide. "Canada is strengthening its electricity system to build a more connected, reliable, and efficient grid. By investing in the critical infrastructure needed to power our future, we are supporting economic growth, creating good-paying jobs, and strengthening Canada's economic security," said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. "Our government's investment in Hitachi is delivering real results through the National Electricity Strategy and is securing Canada's energy future." "This project demonstrates how we can create high value uses for Canadian forest products like pulp in the energy infrastructure that powers our economy," said the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. "By supporting advanced manufacturing, strengthening Canada's electricity supply chains and opening new markets for forest products, this project will help build a stronger and more resilient Canadian economy while advancing the vision set out in the Forest Sector Strategy for Canada and the National Electricity Strategy." "In the face of global economic uncertainty, our government continues to foster the competitive conditions needed for global companies to confidently expand their presence in Ontario and invest in long-term projects," said the Honourable Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. "We are proud to stand as a partner to Hitachi Energy's latest investment, which will create new, high-value jobs for local workers and further position Ontario as a central hub for advanced manufacturing projects powering the economy and future." The London facility is part of Hitachi Energy's commitment to invest more than $2 billion USD to bolster the North American supply chain through 2027. Recent Canadian investments include the acquisition of London-based Canduct, a manufacturer of transformer insulation kits and components, and a $270-million Canadian expansion to nearly triple large power transformer production capacity in Varennes, Quebec. About Hitachi Energy Hitachi Energy is a global leader in electrification, powering the electricity era to meet the energy demands of today, and the next 25 years. As the energy arm of Hitachi Group, over three billion people depend on our pioneering, mission-critical technologies to power their daily lives. With over a century of innovation, we are addressing the most urgent energy challenge of our time: driving the evolution of the world's energy system to ensure abundant, secure, affordable, and sustainable power for today's generation and the next. With an unparalleled installed base in over 140 countries, we are the grid ecosystem partner across the utility, industry, data center, and transportation sectors. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ over 56,000 people in 60 countries and generate revenues of around $20 billion USD. About Hitachi, Ltd. Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi aims to be a global leader in continuously transforming social infrastructure through digital, contributing to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates worldwide across four sectors - Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries - as well as a Strategic SIB Business Unit focused on new growth areas. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi creates value by combining data, technology, and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2025 (ended March 31, 2026) totaled 10,586.7 billion yen, with 606 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 290,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com. SOURCE Hitachi Energy

The Government of Canada announces significant investment to strengthen Canada's electricity and forest products supply chains. World · OCT 16, 2026 PR Newswire Investment will support Hitachi Energy's new transformer insulation factory, Canada's first pressboard manufacturing facility LONDON, ON, Oct. 16, 2026 /C... Investment will support Hitachi Energy's new transformer insulation factory, Canada's first pressboard manufacturing facility LONDON, ON, Oct. 16, 2026 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, announced a total federal investment of $30 million in Hitachi Energy Canada Inc., supporting a $478.8 million dollar project to establish Canada's first electrical-grade pressboard manufacturing facility in London, Ontario. As growing power demand is being driven by grid modernization, electrification, renewable energy deployment and data centre expansion, the federal government is investing to position Canada as a strategic supplier within North America's energy infrastructure supply chain and abroad. At the same time, it is supporting Canadian forest products amid unjustified tariffs and changing global pressures and the industry more broadly as it modernizes and transforms for long-term competitiveness. The federal investment includes $20 million through the Strategic Response Fund and $10 million through the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program. This investment will help Hitachi Energy implement innovative manufacturing technologies and automation in a state-of-the-art facility to enhance production efficiency and turn wood fibre into up to 20,000 tonnes annually of electrical-grade pressboard and laminated insulation materials for high-voltage transformers. The investment will not only strengthen domestic supply chain capabilities but also support the growth and competitiveness of Canada's forest sector by creating new markets for Canadian forest products. This project will generate significant economic benefits for Canadians. As part of its commitment to growth in Canada, Hitachi Energy will maintain its existing workforce of approximately 1,250 employees and grow its Canadian workforce to 1,765 employees. This includes the creation of more than 100 new jobs at its London facility. It will also create new business opportunities for domestic suppliers, including Canada's forest products sector, by sourcing key inputs for transformer insulation materials locally. The facility will be the first of its kind in Canada and will supply Hitachi Energy's transformer manufacturing operations in Varennes, Quebec, and other transformer and insulation manufacturers in North American and global markets. The federal investment in Hitachi Energy's project is advancing the National Electricity Strategy's goals of building at scale and taking concrete steps to bolster Canada's energy security by strengthening our domestic grid and power capacity with clean, affordable and reliable energy for generations to come. The project also advances the federal government's efforts to support Canada's forest products sector as it pivots to grow, including through the upcoming forest sector strategy. The strategy-the first ever for the sector led by the federal government-will focus on creating new opportunities for Canadian forest products, supporting advanced manufacturing and innovation, and strengthening domestic value chains that connect Canada's forest sector to growing markets. In a more complex and unpredictable world, the Government of Canada is investing strategically to build clean, affordable and reliable energy systems, create new market opportunities for domestic suppliers and support sustainable growth in the forest sector. "Canada is strengthening its electricity system to build a more connected, reliable and efficient grid. By investing in the critical infrastructure needed to power our future, we are supporting economic growth, creating well-paying jobs and strengthening Canada's economic security. Our government's investment in Hitachi Energy, along with the National Electricity Strategy, will deliver real results and help secure Canada's energy future." - The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions "This project demonstrates that there are high-value opportunities for forest products in critical energy infrastructure. By supporting innovative projects like this one, we are supporting Canadian manufacturing, strengthening Canada's electricity supply chains and opening new markets for forest products. This project will help build a stronger and more resilient Canadian economy while advancing the visions set out in the National Electricity Strategy and the upcoming federal forest sector strategy." - The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources "In the face of global economic uncertainty, our government continues to foster the competitive conditions needed for global companies to confidently expand their presence in Ontario and invest in long-term projects. We are proud to stand as a partner to Hitachi Energy's latest investment, which will create new, high-value jobs for local workers and further position Ontario as a central hub for advanced manufacturing projects powering the economy and future." - The Honourable Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade "London has long been a city of builders, innovators and skilled workers, and today's announcement reinforces that proud tradition. This investment in Hitachi Energy's new facility will create opportunities for local families, strengthen Canada's energy infrastructure, and position our community at the forefront of the clean economy of the future. I am excited to welcome this investment to London and look forward to the benefits it will bring to our region for years to come." - The Honourable Arielle Kayabaga, Deputy Government House Leader and Member of Parliament for London West "This investment is a significant milestone for London and an important step forward for Canada's economy. By establishing Canada's first electrical-grade pressboard manufacturing facility in our city, we are creating local opportunities, supporting skilled jobs and strengthening London's manufacturing sector. Nationally, this project will bolster domestic supply chains, open new markets for Canadian forest products and help position Canada as a competitive leader in advanced manufacturing and energy infrastructure." - Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for London Centre "Today's announcement marks a significant step forward for Canadian manufacturing and our country's energy future. By establishing Canada's first pressboard manufacturing line here in London, we are bringing a critical capability closer to home, strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting the infrastructure needed to meet growing electricity demand. This investment reflects our long-term commitment to Canadian industry, talent and innovation in an electric economy." - Carla Vicente, Country Managing Director, Canada, Hitachi Energy Canada Inc. Quick facts * Hitachi Energy Canada Inc. is a federally incorporated corporation and a subsidiary of Hitachi Energy, based in Switzerland. Hitachi Energy operates in more than 60 countries and employs approximately 50,000 people worldwide. Its customers include electric utilities, industrial operators, renewable energy developers, transportation providers and data centre operators. * Hitachi Energy Canada develops and supplies transformers, high-voltage equipment, grid automation systems, grid integration solutions and related services for utility, industrial, transportation, renewable energy and infrastructure customers. * The Strategic Response Fund helps Canadian industries innovate, adapt and compete in a changing global economy. It supports large-scale, transformative projects that build economic resilience, strengthen supply chains and protect good jobs in key sectors such as steel, aluminum, automotive, forest products, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. * The IFIT program accelerates the adoption and commercialization of transformative technologies in Canada's forest sector, improving competitiveness and sustainability while diversifying revenue streams. This includes supporting innovative pulp and paper products that replace non-renewable materials, improving fibre efficiency, scaling up mass timber and prefabrication, and strengthening domestic housing production and supply chain resilience. Associated links Stay connected SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Published by News Desk · WeeklyReviewer The WeeklyReviewer news desk monitors breaking developments around the clock - sourcing, verifying, and publishing real-time industry news across business, technology, politics, science, sports, and world affairs. Every story that comes through the Live Wire is reviewed for accuracy before publication, keeping our readers ahead of the curve without the noise.