HD Hyundai Electric Co. clinched a 140.4 billion won ($100.7 million) contract to supply 13 ultra-high voltage transformers to National Grid, marking the South Korean manufacturer’s growing footprint in Britain’s power infrastructure overhaul.
The deal announced Wednesday includes 12 units of 400kV class transformers and one 275kV unit, with delivery scheduled for 2028. Notably, 11 of the 13 transformers will use plant-based synthetic oil instead of conventional crude oil-based mineral oil, reflecting National Grid’s environmental priorities.
The contract represents HD Hyundai Electric’s second major UK win this year, following a separate deal in May. The Korean company has been capitalizing on Britain’s infrastructure investment surge as the UK aims to fully decarbonize its power sector by 2035.
Eco-friendly transformers require high technical skills and command premium pricing due to growing environmental demand. The synthetic oil variants offer reduced fire risk and better suitability for renewable energy installations, though they typically cost more than standard units.
HD Hyundai Electric’s European order book reached $437.75 million last year, with the company targeting the continent as a key growth market. The transformer business has benefited from aging grid infrastructure across Europe, where about 40% of the power grid consists of facilities over 40 years old.
The company’s UK expansion comes as National Grid accelerates grid modernization to accommodate renewable energy integration and rising electricity demand from data centers and electric vehicle charging.
