In the early 1900s the city of of Ludvika was basically just a railway junction. Throughout the western Bergslagen region flourished service centers of mining and iron operation. Neighbouring resort Grängesberg had its mine at the time the largest industrial plant.
In the late 1800s the industry had begun to electrify the operation, but there was a serious shortage of reliable suppliers of equipment for electric power. Year 1900 started therefore the company AB Elektriska Magnet and the Ludvika works were established. Today the company is called ABB and Ludvika can call itself world leader in power transmission technology.
High Voltage Valley was formed in late 2005 and the initiator was the regional development company AB Samarkand2015 in cooperation with ABB, STRI, KTH, Uppsala University and Chalmers. The activities was focused on establishing a research valley in Ludvika. This to ensure the region's global leadership in electric power engineering.
The purpose of the High Voltage Valley (HVV) is to create further growth and development in the region. HVV is a neutral platform for collaboration between companies, universities and public actors. We work together on issues that are important to secure and further develop the region's global leadership in electric power engineering. Specificallyit would involve joint research projects, development of suppliers and skills provision.