Hitachi Energy’s €170 million investment is moving ahead by leaps and bounds. The foundations have now been laid for a new production and technology centre in Mustasaari (Swedish: Korsholm).
“Approximately two years ago, a devastating fire broke out”. This is how Bruno Melles, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Business Unit Transformers, began his speech before the foundation stone was laid for one of the biggest investments ever in the Vaasa region.
– This fire raised a lot of questions concerning our operations in Finland, says Bruno Melles.
The Managing Director is of course referring to the large fire in Strömberg Park in March 2023, which destroyed the Hitachi Energy factory.
Mr Melles praised the company staff who “did a fantastic job of maintaining tight security during a difficult time”. He also highlighted other players in the region’s energy cluster, such as ABB and Wärtsilä, who contributed in various ways towards restarting the business.
– We didn’t know how it would be possible at the time, but we were clear that we wanted to make a comeback, he says.
And what a comeback it was
The foundation stone for what will be called Hitachi Energy Park has now been laid. The facility spanning over 40,000 square metres in Vikby, Mustasaari, will be a combined production and technology centre.
– This is a historic milestone, an investment made in direct response to customer needs, said Matti Vaattovaara, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy in Finland.
The investment amounts to approximately €170 million. It is an investment in production, research as well as product development.
Hitachi Energy Park will double the company’s production and testing capacity of transformers in Finland. The plant will gather the company’s current staff in the region under one roof and will also create 200 new jobs.
Welcomed by state and local authorities
Joakim Strand, Finland’s Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Steering, was on-site to convey the government’s greetings. Joakim Strand emphasized Hitachi Energy as an example worthy of imitation for both Europe and the world.
– This proves that people in the Vaasa region don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk, said Joakim Strand.
Rurik Ahlberg, Mayor of Mustasaari, welcomed the investment on behalf of the municipality. In his speech, Ahlberg stressed that although media coverage often focuses on new business ventures, it is also important not to forget the importance played by established companies.
Green transformation and exports
All the speakers highlighted the green transformation and the importance of a new initiative also in this regard. Mr Vaattovaara mentioned Hitachi Energy’s role in both securing Finland’s electricity supply and its importance in exporting energy technology.
A new way of thinking as well as environmental aspects will be reflected in different ways throughout the new facility, which will already be operational in 2027. Peter Forssell, EVP of YIT’s Building Construction segment, which is working on the contract, mentioned the geothermal solutions that are to be used, as an example.
A time capsule was inserted during the laying ceremony. The capsule contains, for example, Hitachi Energy’s financial report and newspapers, including the first issue of the new Vaasa Pohjanmaa newspaper.
