GE Vernova expands HVDC manufacturing in UK

GE Vernova has announced a major expansion of its manufacturing facilities in Stafford, UK, to meet growing global demand for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems, essential for transmitting renewable energy across Europe, Asia, and North America.

The expansion focuses on two key Stafford sites within GE Vernova’s electrification systems grid solutions business. The HVDC facility at Redhill will double its valve manufacturing capacity, adding a new voltage-sourced converter valve assembly line. The transformer facility, which produces HVDC converter transformers, will also undergo upgrades to increase production capacity. These components are critical for integrating renewable energy into the grid, including projects like the 1.4 GW Sofia offshore wind farm in the North Sea.

This investment marks the second major upgrade of the Stafford site by GE Vernova, following the construction of an advanced HVDC valve test facility in 2018. The current expansion will create 600 new jobs in the UK by 2025, with a focus on engineers and skilled craftspeople to support assembly and testing.

The expansion comes on the heels of GE Vernova’s agreement to supply HVDC systems for five of TenneT’s offshore wind projects, part of the initiative to connect 40 GW of offshore wind farms to the grids in the Netherlands and Germany. Technology for these projects will be manufactured at Stafford.

Image: GE Vernova’s Stafford manufacturing plant. Credit- GE Vernova