Cleveland-Cliffs announces new distribution transformer plant in Weirton, WV

Cleveland-Cliffs announced that it will establish a new electrical distribution transformer production plant in Weirton, West Virginia. This downstream direct investment by Cleveland-Cliffs in Weirton will address the critical shortage of distribution transformers that is stifling economic growth across the United States. Lourenco Goncalves, Cleveland-Cliffs’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer will host a press conference with West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and other elected officials in Weirton today, July 22. The announcement will highlight Cleveland-Cliffs’ investment to repurpose its Half Moon Warehouse in Weirton to commence production of three-phase distribution transformers used in electric power distribution systems. The total capital investment is $150M, of which $50M or 1/3 will be granted by the state of West Virginia to Cliffs through a forgivable loan. Cliffs expects the new plant to come online in the first half of 2026. The efficiency standards for distribution transformers recently promulgated by the U.S. Department of Energy support the long-term utilization of highly-efficient American-made Grain Oriented Electrical Steel GOES ensuring the viability of this investment in Weirton.