GE Vernova has put forth a capital investment program for its electrification manufacturing plant in Sesto San Giovanni, in northern Italy, to meet increasing global demand for electrification infrastructure. The approximately $30-million project will increase production capacity for bushings, which are critical components for safe and reliable transmission and distribution of electricity.
The project also will create an estimated 50 new manufacturing jobs.
GE Vernova recently consolidated its one-time Prolec GE joint venture, adding that power and distribution transmission manufacturing capacity to its Electrification business unit, to serve electric grid expansion projects.
Electrification is one of the operating segments for the General Electric spin-off, together with the Power (gas, nuclear, hydro) and Wind energy businesses.
Bushings are insulating components necessary for safely passing AC or DC current (up to 1,200 kV) through grounded transformer or switchgear casings.
Electric utilities and energy companies around the world are carrying out grid upgrades and modernizing power networks to meet increasing electricity demand, necessitating more transformer and substation capacity - thus the increasing demand for bushings.
GE indicated the expanded capacity at Sesto San Giovanni will add more production lines for advanced dry-type bushings, including Resin Impregnated Paper (RIP) and Resin Impregnated Synthetic (RIS) technologies, covering voltage levels up to 245 kV.
“With this investment, we are strengthening a strategic capability within our fastest-growing Electrification segment,” stated Philippe Piron, CEO of GE Vernova Electrification. “Expanding capacity here increases supply security for our customers and reinforces our ability to support large-scale power transmission and generation programs worldwide.”
GE Vernova is pursuing a reported $11 billion in capital expenditures through 2028.
