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Hitachi Energy has begun transporting the largest HVDC voltage sourced converter transformer ever built at its factory in Ludvika, Sweden, marking a significant milestone for both the company and the global heavy transport sector.
The transformer, rated at 750 MVA and designed for ±800 kV transmission systems, is destined for the Gansu to Zhejiang Ultra UHVDC VSC Transmission Project in China. Once operational, the project is expected to transmit more than 36 billion kWh of electricity annually to Zhejiang Province, enough to supply around 10 million households.
For logistics specialists, however, the journey itself may be just as notable as the equipment onboard.
Largest unit ever shipped from Ludvika
The transport left Ludvika weighing approximately 820 tonnes, making it the heaviest cargo ever dispatched from the factory. The size and weight pushed beyond the limits of standard rail transport, forcing planners to redesign the logistics chain from the ground up.
Instead of rail, the transformer was moved by road from Ludvika to Köping. From there, it continued by barge to the Port of Norrköping before loading onto an ocean vessel bound for Shanghai.
According to the company, only one suitable transport trailer was available in Europe for the operation, creating a narrow delivery window and adding pressure to the coordination effort.
“Logistics work has at times been challenging, but in the end everything came together,” said Anna Karin Larsdotter, Transport Manager Transformers at Hitachi Energy.
She added that the team was relieved to see the unit arrive safely at the Port of Norrköping before continuing toward China.
For heavy haulage professionals, the move highlights a growing trend in project logistics where infrastructure limitations increasingly shape routing decisions. In this case, the cargo’s dimensions dictated not only the transport mode but the timing, permitting process, and equipment availability across multiple countries and operators.
More than a year of planning
The transport required more than a year of preparation involving engineers, logistics specialists, transport contractors, authorities, and infrastructure agencies.
Hitachi Energy said close coordination with the Swedish Transport Administration, local authorities, safety personnel, and transport partners was essential to execute the move safely.
“Behind this delivery lies strong commitment, close collaboration, and pride among the hundreds of colleagues who made this possible,” said Thomas Wennberg, head of the transformer factory in Ludvika.
The cargo is expected to arrive in Shanghai during mid summer 2026.
Strategic role in China’s transmission network
The transformer will serve as the reference unit for seven additional identical transformers scheduled for production in China. Engineers and specialists from Ludvika will support the manufacturing process by transferring technical expertise and operational experience to local teams.
The shipment also underlines the continued growth of ultra high voltage direct current infrastructure projects, particularly in China, where long distance transmission systems are increasingly used to move renewable and conventional power between regions.
HVDC VSC technology is regarded as particularly important for integrating renewable energy sources and stabilizing complex transmission networks. Projects operating at ±800 kV are among the most technically demanding in the sector due to the scale of power transfer and equipment requirements.
“It is fantastic to see our HVDC transformer technology reaching projects around the world,” said Markus Pettersson, Global HVDC Transformers Unit Manager at Hitachi Energy.
The transformer’s voyage from Ludvika to Shanghai is still underway, but within the project cargo industry, the operation has already established a new benchmark for European heavy transport planning and execution.
