China, August 2026 – Hitachi Energy has marked 20 years of its rail traction-transformer business in China through a customer event in Datong, bringing together more than 100 customers, partners and industry experts. The company established its Datong traction-transformer joint venture with CRRC Datong in 2006, creating a local manufacturing and engineering base for railway power equipment.
The Datong facility designs, manufactures and maintains traction transformers and reactors used to convert and distribute electrical power for railway applications. Its products have been deployed across intercity and suburban railways, including projects operating in demanding cold and high-altitude environments. The factory has delivered nearly 10,000 traction transformers to customers in China and international markets, including Malaysia and Australia.
For the rail sector, traction transformers are a critical part of the electrification chain, directly supporting the safe, reliable and efficient operation of electric trains. Hitachi Energy is developing lighter and more energy-efficient equipment as railway operators face increasing pressure to improve energy performance while maintaining high availability across expanding electrified networks.
Among the technologies highlighted is the Effilight traction transformer, which the company says is approximately 8% lighter than conventional solutions in China while using less oil. The technology has been deployed on several intercity rail projects, including the Chongqing Jiangtiao Line. Hitachi Energy also presented RESIBLOC dry-type traction transformers, which eliminate oil-related leakage risks and can improve fire safety, as well as sealed natural-cooling transformers designed to reduce energy consumption.
The milestone reflects the broader evolution of railway electrification from conventional power supply towards more efficient, lightweight and environmentally conscious equipment. As China and other markets continue expanding electrified rail networks, developments in traction transformers and related power technologies will remain important to improving system efficiency, reducing environmental impact and supporting reliable rail operations.
Source: Hitachi Energy
Hitachi Energy Marks 20 Years Of Rail Power Innovation In China
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Rail electrification depends on reliable power-conversion equipment capable of supporting increasingly demanding passenger and freight networks. Hitachi Energy is marking two decades of traction-transformer manufacturing in China, while expanding technologies designed to improve the efficiency, safety and sustainability of electric rail systems.
