GE Vernova has completed a major upgrade of its high-voltage research and development laboratory in northern Italy, expanding its ability to test equipment used in electricity transmission as utilities prepare for rising power demand and renewable energy integration.
Located in Noventa di Piave near Venice, the modernized facility tests high-voltage equipment such as transformers and disconnectors before they are deployed on power grids. The project is part of a four-year investment worth about $7.2 million aimed at strengthening the site’s research and testing capabilities.
The upgraded laboratory will help validate equipment designed to operate under increasingly demanding grid conditions. As more renewable power sources come online and electricity consumption grows, utilities are seeking technologies that improve grid reliability, flexibility, and resilience.
The lab is also expected to speed up product validation while helping utilities deploy new grid equipment with greater confidence. Faster testing can also shorten development cycles as electricity networks adapt to rising demand and an increasing share of renewable energy.
The investment also strengthens GE Vernova’s broader electrification strategy in Italy, where the company has maintained a manufacturing and engineering presence for decades. The company recently announced another investment exceeding $30 million to expand manufacturing capacity at its Sesto San Giovanni facility.
Strengthening grid infrastructure
“Reliable grids depend on technologies that have been tested, validated and proven for the most demanding operating conditions,” said Eric Chaussin, VP & CEO, Power Transmission, GE Vernova.
“This investment in Noventa strengthens our ability to innovate in Italy, respond to customer needs more quickly and support the delivery of more resilient power systems for customers in Italy and around the world.”
The Noventa di Piave facility has more than 50 years of operational history and is part of GE Vernova’s Electrification segment. The site employs more than 300 people and is expected to add around 15 employees annually in the coming years.
According to the company, the modernization project is intended to support long-term growth, attract skilled workers, and strengthen the site’s contribution to Italy’s energy sector and local economy.
Together with the Sesto San Giovanni facility, the Noventa di Piave site provides manufacturing, research, and testing capabilities that support Italy’s electricity infrastructure while also serving export markets.
GE Vernova said it has supported Italy’s power sector for more than a century. Today, technologies supplied by the company enable roughly 25% of the country’s installed power generation capacity.
The laboratory upgrade also forms part of GE Vernova’s broader investment strategy. The company plans to invest $11 billion globally in capital expenditures and research and development between 2025 and 2028, with a focus on technologies that support electrification and the energy transition.
By expanding its testing capabilities, the Noventa di Piave laboratory is expected to accelerate the development and validation of equipment needed for modern electricity networks, helping utilities deploy infrastructure capable of handling higher loads while integrating growing amounts of renewable energy.