Invenergy Transmission and Prysmian Group North America have announced a long-term supply agreement that includes a $22.5 million investment to expand domestic manufacturing capacity of advanced transmission conductor technology. The expansion of Prysmian’s existing manufacturing facility in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, funded in substantial part by the supply agreement with Invenergy Transmission, will create at least 27 new jobs in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania and retain 407 jobs statewide, including 250 jobs at the project site.
Through this long-term supply agreement, Prysmian will supply up to 12,500 miles of overhead conductor cable through 2029 to support Invenergy’s portfolio of long-distance high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission projects in the U.S. Invenergy Transmission expects the conductor order to support projects including the Grain Belt Express and New Mexico North Path lines. The 5,000-megawatt Grain Belt Express project will improve affordability and reliability for consumers across four vital U.S. power grids, including the regional grid that serves Pennsylvania, the PJM Interconnection.
This expansion will double the United States’ ability to manufacture advanced transmission conductors with E3X technology. Prysmian’s E3X advanced conductor technology increases the capacity, efficiency, and reliability of transmission lines, allowing for more electric power to be transmitted with low losses and delivered across long distances without expanding the physical footprint of the project. The facility expansion includes a 51,000-square-foot addition to the existing building to create more manufacturing space, and a retention pond to handle increased stormwater run-off.
“Across North America, we’re upgrading our centers of excellence like Williamsport to meet the growing needs of the power transmission and distribution market.,” said Andrea Pirondini, CEO of Prysmian Group North America.
