Agreement is part of a $2 billion investment bolstering America’s domestic electricity transmission supply chain.
CENTRALIA, Mo. – Equipment for America’s largest power grid infrastructure project will support local jobs, thanks to new details announced today of a supply agreement between Centralia’s largest employer, Hubbell and Invenergy, America’s largest privately held independent power producer and the developer of the Grain Belt Express transmission line serving Missouri. This supply order represents approximately $70 million of the $2 billion in total domestic investment from Grain Belt Express Phase 1, including both the direct material and equipment cost plus distribution and labor costs associated with this agreement.
This agreement will continue to support American jobs across its facilities in Centralia, MO, Leeds, AL, and Aiken, SC.
“Grain Belt Express is a trifecta win for our region, because it will create jobs, support Missouri-based manufacturing and attract millions in economic investment,” said Neil Vandermeulen, Hubbell, Division President for T&D Infrastructure. “This investment will enhance our manufacturing capacity across the country, strengthening the domestic supply chain needed to support our nation’s critical grid infrastructure. The success of our partnership with Invenergy demonstrates a shared commitment to retaining and creating U.S. manufacturing jobs.”
The components distributed locally will serve Invenergy’s Grain Belt Express transmission line. Order details were announced today as Phase 1 of Grain Belt Express advances towards start of full construction as soon as early 2026.
“Grain Belt Express is the highest capacity transmission line in the U.S. and the longest line the U.S. has built in over 50 years, making this domestic supply agreement among the largest of its kind in the industry. The products made by Hubbell and distributed out of Centralia will ensure a more reliable, resilient energy grid at a time of unprecedented demand,” said Shashank Sane, Invenergy Executive Vice President for Transmission.
Besides this supply agreement, families and small businesses in Centralia will also benefit from being one of the 39 Missouri communities that have contracted to take power from Grain Belt Express, at an annual cost savings of more than $12 million per year for these Missouri municipalities. Nearby communities that will also realize these savings include Columbia, Fayette, Monroe City, Hannibal, Vandalia and Macon.
This investment follows Invenergy’s prior domestic supply agreement with Prysmian North America that is supporting a 50,000 square foot factory expansion already underway in Williamsport, PA that will double U.S. manufacturing capacity for certain advanced transmission conductors. Conductors - or the metallic lines that electricity travels along to power our energy grid - are a critical technology for the reliability and resilience of the U.S. power grid.
About Hubbell
Hubbell Incorporated is a leading manufacturer of utility and electrical solutions enabling customers to operate critical infrastructure safely, reliably, and efficiently. With 2023 revenues of $5.4 billion, Hubbell solutions electrify economies and energize communities. The corporate headquarters is located in Shelton, CT.
About Invenergy
Invenergy is accelerating cleaner, more reliable, affordable energy. Invenergy and its affiliated companies, develop, build, own and operate large-scale renewable and other clean energy generation, transmission and storage facilities in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
Headquartered in Chicago, Invenergy and its affiliated companies have successfully developed more than 33,000 megawatts of projects that are in operation, construction or contracted, including wind, solar, transmission infrastructure, and natural gas power generation and advanced energy storage projects.