Feb 14 (Reuters) - Siemens Energy said on Wednesday it will invest $150 million in a new U.S. power transformer factory.

The German power equipment supplier said construction of the factory in Charlotte, North Carolina, would create almost 600 local jobs.

Power transformers are key to decarbonising the U.S. electricity network, with the country aiming to reduce emissions by 50-52% from 2005 levels by 2030.

In November, U.S. developers flagged tightening supply chain problems for the supply of high-voltage transformers necessary to connect wind and solar farms and batteries to the grid, projects that are key to the energy transition.

"As global demand for this critical technology increases, we see the long-term potential to increase our U.S. footprint, building on our longstanding presence in North Carolina," executive board member Tim Holt said in a statement.

Siemens Energy said construction of the factory would begin this year with manufacturing to begin in early 2026. (Reporting by Bartosz Dabrowski; editing by Matthias Williams and Jason Neely)