Ludvika –the world's power hub

Over the centuries, Ludvika has developed from being a small settlement among forests and lakes into a town and the world's power hub.

Around 1550, Gustav Vasa established the Ludvika Crown Works by Ludvika ström, laying the foundation for Ludvika’s industrial heritage.

Over the centuries, Ludvika grew around iron processing as its core industry, whilst the town continuously adapted to changing times. The technological revolutions of the 19th and 20th centuries left their mark. In 1900, the company Elektriska Aktiebolaget Magnet was founded, later acquired by ASEA – now known as Hitachi Energy.

Here, groundbreaking technologies were developed to transmit electricity over long distances, such as three-phase AC transmission (the Grängesberg mine was the first in the world) and high-voltage direct current (HVDC). A few years ago, the world’s most powerful transformer was built in Ludvika. These innovations have improved the lives of billions of people by giving them access to electricity.

Today, Ludvika is known as the world’s power hub, a title reflecting the town’s unique position in global power transmission. It stems from Ludvika’s long industrial tradition, combined with a constant drive for innovation.

Ludvika – a major part of the world

How can a small town be so big? How can the centre of the world’s energy transition be found here? How can Ludvika be more renowned in Agra, São Paulo, and Xuancheng than in Stockholm and Gothenburg?

The new generation of cars, the sustainable society, the smart home, greener manufacturing methods, and artificial intelligence – they all need electricity, of course.
The whole world is being electrified. More and more, and faster and faster. And electricity must be transferred from where it is produced to where it is consumed.
We are the best in the world at this.

The company Hitachi Energy, Ludvika’s largest employer, is receiving numerous orders – billion-dollar orders one after another. They hire over a thousand people per year and are expanding their facilities.

The entire municipality is affected. While others lose residents, we are growing. There is construction, new jobs are being created, and we, who live and work here, must all help each other.

As you can see, this is a truly unique journey. Welcome to be part of it.