Trench Group is opening its first U.S. HSP US, a subsidiary of Trench Group, made this announcement recently, highlighting a $60 million investment in domestic production. This development marks a significant step for the company, which has over 130 years of high-voltage expertise. The 170,000-square-foot facility will focus on manufacturing bushings from 25kV to 765kV, playing a key role in modernizing the North American power grid. The site will create up to 140 manufacturing and engineering jobs in Charlotte by 2030, nearly doubling the initial plan.
Grid modernization drives demand
Electricity demand in the United States is projected to grow by over 55% by 2050, according to a 2026 NEMA Study. This growth is driving a surge in grid modernization. Investor-owned utilities, which serve most Americans, plan to invest $1.4 trillion by 2030 in strengthening the U.S. Charlotte’s location offers HSP better access and faster delivery times, making it easier to support U.S. and Canadian energy customers in meeting these modernization goals.
Trench Group expands on North American success
The Charlotte facility builds on Trench Group’s existing success in Canada, where it operates two other factories. The North American market is a growing focus for the company, with the region representing 50% of the company’s total order intake in the first half of 2026. Orders from North America have increased by nearly 400% since 2024, showing a clear trend of rising demand for Trench Group’s products in the region. This new plant reinforces the company’s commitment to the North American energy sector.
Advanced tech for future energy needs
The Charlotte facility is among the most technologically advanced high-voltage bushing production sites in the U.S. It features state-of-the-art autoclaves, lathe machines, and two high-voltage testing labs capable of testing bushings up to 2,800kV. The plant is also designed to expand into high-voltage direct current (HVDC) applications in the future. This expansion will support the growing need for efficient energy transmission solutions. Nils von Dietman, CEO of HSP US, said, “With agreements in place with leading transformer OEMs and hyperscalers, we are ready to help our customers accelerate grid modernization, support AI-driven power demand, and deliver long-term energy reliability with local expertise, shorter supply lines, and closer technical collaboration.”
The facility, built and operational in only one and a half years, brings HSP’s dry-type bushing technology closer to North American customers. It plays a critical role in supporting utilities, transformer manufacturers, and large energy users as they address aging grid infrastructure and increasing power needs. These needs stem from expanding data centers, industrial growth, and the electrification of transportation. The Charlotte plant is also designed for Build America, Buy America (BABA) certification, ensuring it meets domestic content requirements and offers a reliable U.S. source for high-voltage components as the grid undergoes major changes.
The first deliveries from the Charlotte plant are expected by the end of 2026. The new manufacturing hub is positioned to support future demand, with the potential to more than double production capacity from the initially planned 3,500 to 10,000 bushings per year. This reflects Trench Group’s commitment to meeting the North American market’s evolving needs. High-voltage 765 kV infrastructure is emerging as a key solution for moving large amounts of power over long distances while reducing line losses and supporting fast-growing load centers.
HSP’s Charlotte facility not only supports the North American market but also contributes to Trench Group’s global 765kV solutions portfolio. This includes key high-voltage technologies like bushings, instrument transformers, coils, and reactors. By bringing these components together, the company helps reduce interface risk and supports reliable performance across complex extra-high-voltage systems. The investment in Charlotte marks a significant milestone for HSP US and is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of North America’s energy infrastructure.