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Our History

Learn about our notable milestones and key achievements over the years


Our history dates back to the late 1800’s when electrical engineering companies, ASEA and BBC (Brown Boveri & Cie), were formed during Europe’s industrial revolution. After introducing electrical power transmission, rail and industrial technologies, these two pioneering brands merged in 1988 to create ABB. In the following three decades the company continued to develop industry-leading power and automation technologies through a combination of R&D and tactical acquisitions.

In 2020, Hitachi and ABB's Power Grids' business came together in a joint venture to create a new global leader in pioneering and digital technologies. As individual companies, both had been innovating and improving technology for over a century. Together, as Hitachi Energy, we bring forward and build on this remarkable heritage to tackle today's challenges facing business and society. Trusted as a partner of choice to the industry, we co-create best-in-class solutions that deliver on the promise of a sustainable energy future.

Milestones

ASEA and BBC Before the Merge

1986

ASEA employs 71,000 people and reported revenues of $6.8 billion and income after financial items of $370 million. 

1978

ASEA launches one of the first industrial robots. 

1972

ASEA builds the first nuclear power plant in Sweden and goes on to build nine of the country’s 12 reactors. 

1963

ASEA achieves a major technological breakthrough with the introduction of an improved thyristor able to handle substantially more electrical current than existing devices. 

1954

ASEA installs the world’s first HVDC transmission line, providing 20 MW, 100 kV to the Isle of Gotland over a distance of 96 km. 

1953

ASEA is the first company in the world to manufacture synthetic diamonds.

1952

ASEA designs and installs the first 400 kV AC cable – a 70 m low pressure oil-filled (LPOF) cable connecting an underground power station (built to withstand an atomic bomb) to the Swedish grid.

1942

ASEA builds the world's first 120 MVA, 220 kV transformer in the Stockholm Elverks Värtanstation.

1932

ASEA builds the world’s largest self-cooling transformer rated at 2,500 kVA (kilovolt ampere).

1926

ASEA supplies locomotives and power converters for the new Stockholm to Gothenburg railway.

1893

ASEA builds the first three-phase transmission system in Sweden.

1890

Elektriska Aktiebolaget merges with Wenströms & Granströms Elektriska Kraftbolag to form Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget, later shortened to ASEA.

1889

Jonas Wenström invents the three phase system for generators, transformers and motors.

1883

Ludvig Fredholm establishes Elektriska Aktiebolaget in Stockholm as manufacturers of electrical lighting and generators.
first 400 kV AC cable – a 70 m low pressure oil-filled (LPOF) cable connecting an underground power station to the Swedish grid
World's first 120 MVA, 220 kV transformer
Ludvig Fredholm
World’s largest self-cooling transformer rated at 2,500 kVA
Jonas Wenström
First three-phase transmission system in Sweden
Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget (ASEA) Logo
Synthetic diamonds

Click to enlarge bigger image

first 400 kV AC cable – a 70 m low pressure oil-filled (LPOF) cable connecting an underground power station to the Swedish grid
World's first 120 MVA, 220 kV transformer
Ludvig Fredholm
World’s largest self-cooling transformer rated at 2,500 kVA
Jonas Wenström
First three-phase transmission system in Sweden
Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget (ASEA) Logo
Synthetic diamonds

Related Pages

Our Heritage

Our heritage stems from our long and rich heritage of innovation - from our roots in ABB – and forerunners, Asea and BBC.
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Pioneering Approach

What attracts many of our new talents to join us is our open culture of collaboration and co-creation.
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