Core Insights - Hitachi Energy has formed a strategic partnership with Blackstone Energy Transition Partners to enhance its Service business in North America, focusing on the reliability and safety of power infrastructure [1][2] - The partnership includes Hitachi Energy acquiring a stake in Shermco, a leading provider of electrical services, which will help expand service capacity and capabilities for critical energy infrastructure [1][2][3] Company Overview - Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader in electrification, with a revenue of approximately $16 billion USD and a workforce of over 50,000 employees across 60 countries [10] - Shermco, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Texas, is one of the largest electrical testing organizations in North America, providing comprehensive electrical system services with over 600 NETA technicians and 200 engineers [8][14] - Blackstone Energy Transition Partners is a leading energy investor with a successful long-term record, having committed over $27 billion of equity globally in energy-related businesses [12] Strategic Goals - The partnership aims to deliver comprehensive lifecycle support for energy infrastructure, including power generation, transmission, and industrial electrification [2][3] - Hitachi Energy is investing more than $1 billion globally to expand its Service footprint, which includes launching new digital service solutions and developing over 5,000 additional service experts [4][9] Industry Context - The aging power grid in the U.S., with over 70% of transmission lines being decades old, presents significant challenges, including higher outage risks and cyber vulnerabilities [6] - As electrification accelerates across various sectors, the demand for reliable service to maintain and upgrade infrastructure is critical for enhancing the safety, flexibility, and sustainability of energy systems [6][9]