A method and apparatus for mitigating dynamic overvoltage (DOV) in an AC network. A distribution and power transformer has its primary connected to the high voltage bus of the network and its secondary connected to a switching device. Upon the occurrence of a condition known to cause a DOV and the DOV a control system cause the switching device to change from a nonconductive mode to a conductive mode in less than the time for one cycle of the operating frequency of the AC network. This change in switching device conduction places a short circuit across the transformer secondary.