GE Vernova has expanded its existing manufacturing facilities in Stafford, UK to support an increasing demand for HVDC transmission systems to help power renewable energy projects throughout Europe, Asia and North America, while also supporting the UK’s energy transition.
The expansion focuses on two sites of its Electrification Systems’ Grid Solutions business in Stafford:
· Stafford HVDC Facility at Redhill – HVDC and Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) valves: This facility is anticipated to double its valve manufacturing capacity to support the growing demand for HVDC systems with the installation of an additional Voltage-Sourced Converter (VSC) valve assembly line. The valves enable the optimal transmission of power from offshore wind farms and other renewable energy sources to the grid.
· Stafford Transformer Facility at Lichfield Rd – HVDC converter transformers: This site will undergo significant upgrades to boost capacity and enhance its ability to produce HVDC converter transformers, critical for integrating renewable energy into the grid. Transformers produced at this site have been installed in the North Sea to support the 1.4 GW Sofia Offshore Wind Farm.
While the expansion marks GE Vernova’s second round of investment in its Stafford site, the company’s Grid Solutions business expects to create around 600 jobs in the UK from 2023 to the end of 2025, including engineers and skilled craftsmen to support the assembly and testing of the valves.
GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business has signed an agreement to supply HVDC systems for five of TenneT’s offshore wind projects. The projects are part of the transmission system operator’s target to connect 40 GW of offshore wind farms to the high voltage grids in the Netherlands and Germany.
The valves and the transformers technology for the projects are planned to be manufactured at the Stafford facilities.
