ABB to buy Premium Power to boost power advisory work

ABB has agreed to acquire Irish electrical engineering consultancy Premium Power as it expands advisory work on complex power systems for customers across Europe.

The deal will bring Premium Power into ABB Electrification Service, adding specialist engineering services covering grid studies, modelling and electrical risk management. Financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

Electricity-intensive sectors have increased investment in electrical infrastructure as grid conditions change and electrification projects accelerate. Data centres and pharmaceutical plants are also facing tighter uptime and compliance requirements. As a result, demand has grown for specialist analysis of power system behaviour and potential failure points.

Advisory focus

Premium Power has built its business around independent engineering advice for large facilities with high-availability electrical networks. ABB plans to integrate that expertise into its ABB Navigate advisory offering within Electrification Service.

The combined offering will include power system studies and power quality assessments, as well as grid connection and compliance modelling, electrical safety, and risk management. ABB described the acquisition as a bolt-on deal aligned with its M&A priorities.

For ABB, advisory services provide a way to engage earlier in a customer's electrical project cycle. Grid connection constraints and the growth of renewable generation have added complexity to system design. Digitalisation has also pushed more monitoring and control into electrical networks, changing how faults propagate and how resilience measures are planned.

Premium Power, headquartered near Dublin, was founded in 2001. It employs more than 40 electrical engineers and specialists, according to ABB. Its services range from grid compliance and dynamic modelling to arc flash and electrical safety assessments, as well as power quality audits, electrical design work, and risk management training.

ABB said Premium Power's customers include multinational manufacturers and industrial companies with complex networks. It also highlighted the consultancy's work in data centres and pharmaceutical manufacturing, where operators often plan electrical upgrades alongside rapid site expansion or process changes.

Data centres and pharma

Europe has seen sustained investment in data centre capacity in recent years, alongside increased scrutiny of energy use and grid impact. Operators have sought ways to secure connections and manage operational risk as sites scale. Pharmaceutical manufacturers have also continued to invest in resilient utilities and plant infrastructure because downtime is costly and validated processes are critical.

ABB framed the acquisition around these pressures, saying customers need more systems-level expertise as power systems become more dynamic, with more variable generation and tighter operating limits. It expects the added capability to extend its advisory work across a wider range of European projects and portfolios.

Stuart Thompson, President of ABB Electrification Service, said the acquisition strengthens ABB's ability to advise on modern power-system and compliance challenges.

"The acquisition of Premium Power strengthens our ability to advise customers on complex power systems, grid connection and compliance challenges. This expertise is increasingly essential for critical industries such as data centers and pharmaceutical manufacturing, where reliability is paramount.

"Expanding and modernizing electrical systems - from grid connection through to on-site infrastructure - is central to energy resilience, ensuring reliable power as demand grows and energy networks become more complex. Combined with ABB's execution and service capabilities, we can help customers design, de-risk and deliver better energy systems that are built to perform today and adapt for tomorrow."

Premium Power Managing Director Paula O'Neill said the deal would broaden the consultancy's reach across Europe while maintaining its engineering approach.

"For more than two decades, Premium Power has built its reputation by helping customers solve complex electrical challenges with technical rigor and independence. Joining ABB allows us to take that expertise further - scaling system-level impact across Europe while preserving the engineering depth and customer focus that define our business. Together, we can support customers earlier, more consistently and with greater impact as their electrical systems and requirements continue to evolve."

ABB expects to integrate Premium Power's advisory services into its European customer base once the deal closes.