Power equipment market on turnaround
With new policies as well as ‘Make In India’ initiative, the power equipment industry is on the verge of becoming more powerful
 The global electrical equipment market is expected to increase from a cumulative size of more than $3 trillion (2008-15) to $ 6.8 trillion (2016-30). There has been an overall growth in most segments of the electrical equipment industry — transformers, power cables, switchgear — due to the high demand from central and state power utilities. Over the past couple of decades, power planning had a great setback and accomplished not more than 50 per cent of the target. With the installation of the new government, the industry is hoping for the better, as tangible progress in getting clearances of various power projects have been observed.
Mission 2012-2022The Indian Electrical Equipment Industry Mission Plan 2012-2022 has planned to make India the country of choice for the production of electrical equipment and reach an output of $100 billion by balancing exports and imports. No doubt the next 5 years would be extremely crucial for the Indian electrical equipment industry as it prepares to meet the rapidly rising domestic demand.
Rajendrakumar L Sharma, CMD, SPEL Technologies Pvt. Ltd. has an interesting point to share. He cites the example of lithium-ion battery, “About 70 per cent research on lithium-ion battery is either done in India or by Indians, but we do not have a single manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries in India. Electronics field is no different which reads 80 per cent of designing of electronics is either done in India or by Indians, but hardly 2 per cent of that is manufactured in India.”
The government should create right environment and promote technocrat-oriented enterprise, and prevent brain drain. Our research programs should be result oriented rather than thesis oriented. We need to seize the opportunities ahead to leverage our resources to create wealth and prosperity for generations to come. We need to work with vision that creates lasting prosperity instead of feeding an endless cycle of boom and bust.
According to J K Agarwal, Joint MD, Genus Power Infrastructures Ltd., “The Mission 2012-2022 will establish a clear roadmap for increasing the competitiveness of the domestic electrical equipment sector. It is also needed to focus on the next generation of reforms in the power sector, specifically the power transmission and distribution sector.”
The government should take a holistic approach as the power sector is critical for the socio-economic development of the nation, as well as the industry needs to upscale the size of its operations and manufacture quality products at the most affordable prices so that the buyers from International market can be attracted.
“In order to achieve this ambitious target, we have to see how far the government is able to implement the industry friendly policy,” says Anil Krishna, Vice President, Borouge (India) Pvt. Ltd. “Starting from making land and infrastructure available for industry to be set up, single window clearances, labour law reforms, taxation policy all needs to be updated to meet global competition. In a democratic country like India, implementation and execution is always a challenge.”
It won’t be surprising to see phenomenal changes on the product side driven by emergence of disruptive innovations like fuel cells and choice of fuels for power generation considering latest trend of oil economy. No wonder the government has prepared a very comprehensive mission plan for the industry and have touched upon all the aspects. It is the monitoring of extent and speed of implementation of recommendations that will ensure the success.
Then there is innovation which plays a big role in achieving exports target of $23 billion by 2022 as we must get first mover advantage to reap benefits in this competitive industry. The government should also support or rather subsidise innovation in power sector to make the Indian power industry a super success story.
Domestic versus foreign equipmentIndian equipment manufacturers not only cater to the domestic demand but also export to several developed and developing nations. According to Vimal Kejriwal, Managing Director and CEO, KEC International, “There is a positive outlook and acceptance towards Indian manufactured equipment by countries across the globe. Around 55-60 per cent of our order book consistently comes from foreign markets.”
With continuous progress being done on the quality front, India churns products that are well placed globally. Generally, the Indian manufacturers follow IEC standards as well as whenever required conform to US and Canada — ANSI, NEMA, IEEE, UL and other standards.
Industry needs to understand that either your customers come back or products come back. Mr Rajendrakumar explains, “The demand of any origin equipment or product is governed by commitment to understand, meet and when possible exceed customers’ requirements at ethically best price for said performance and after-sales service backup. If Indian industry follows this, foreign invasion in this product domain is remote chance. Indian industry needs to be on toes and open to process of long-term evolution of product they manufacture to be in the race.”
Growing transformer marketThe transformer market in India has been in a sound state for a few years now. “The market is further anticipated to witness sound healthy growth rates and empowering demand for the impending years,” believes Anil Kadam, Senior Manager – Solution Architect (Utility Segment), Schneider Electric India. “The government initiatives alongside the need of substitution of transformers introduced in the previous years are relied upon to drive development in the Indian transformers market. Schneider Electric India is a well-established manufacturer having capabilities to develop all type of transformers up to the 800 kV and 1,200 kV levels.”
Transformer industry is completely geared up with latest innovations and technologies for manufacture of transformer of highest ratings, i.e. 1,500 MVA at 765 KV voltage class. The industry is capable of catering the demand or requirement of domestic market besides 50 per cent of the export requirements.
Switchgear market getting turned onIncreasing investment in manufacturing segment as well as urban and rural infrastructure development have turned on the switchgear industry for the better. The switchgear and control gear industry in India is currently valued at ` 135 billion in FY 2013 and has been growing at 15 per cent for the past 3 years. It is estimated that the industry is going to touch about ` 215 billion by FY 2017, growing at a diminished CAGR of 10 per cent.
India is the world’s sixth largest energy consumer, accounting for 3.4 per cent of global energy consumption, and the nation is witnessing increased investments in the manufacturing segment as well as urban and rural infrastructure development all over the country.
According to AV Jagdish, Vice President, Switchgear Division, Havells India Ltd., “The switchgear market overall has seen a tapered growth for past 2-3 years due to adverse macro-economic scenario. With a stable government with focused plan to improve Indian economy and its new investment plans in infrastructure development, the market looks determined to reinvigorate growth.”
The per capita total energy consumption in India was 917.2 KWh by March 2013. Due to India’s economic rise, the demand for electrical energy has touched great heights. The per capita total energy consumption is now expected to grow to 1,200 KWh by 2016. “With the rapid increase in urbanisation, new residential and commercial complexes, there is a high demand for electrical switchgears,” says Rajesh Nandwani, Business Unit Head – Switchgear, Anchor Electricals Pvt. Ltd. “The low-voltage switchgear market size in India is about ` 11,000 crore. The domestic switchgear market is about ` 2,200 crore which includes products like MCB, RCCB and DB.”
The need to have a safe, reliable and efficient power distribution setup at both micro and macro levels is providing growth opportunities to the low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) switchgear markets in India.Powerful power cables marketThe new government, the new policies, the “Make In India’ initiative, and a mission to make India the choice for the production of electrical equipment and reach an output of $100 billion by balancing exports and imports, the wires and cables market is in a such position from where success is just a step away.
“Wire and cable business growth is linked to power and infrastructure segment growth,” remarks Mr Krishna. “With auctioning of coal blocks to power producers, the sector is likely to show double digit growth for next 3-4 years.”
However, large part growth across manufacturing and infrastructure sector has been subdued. Market sentiments have improved largely due to falling commodity prices but are yet to see a turnaround. At the same time, the government has promised investment in railways, ports, smart cities renewable generation and distribution amongst others. This bodes well for cables market, and the industry can expect it to grow annually at 10-12 per cent.
If the government succeeds to facilitate infrastructure creation, promote capabilities, create a favourable and predictable business environment, attract investments, and promote R&D, the power equipment industry will show a major turnaround in growth.___________________________________Around 55-60 per cent of our order book consistently comes from foreign markets.
Vimal Kejriwal, MD and CEO, KEC International___________________________________–
About 70 per cent research on lithium-ion battery is either done in India or by Indians, but we do not have a single manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries in India.
Rajendrakumar L Sharma, CMD, SPEL Technologies Pvt. Ltd._________________________________________
The Mission 2012-2022 will establish a clear roadmap for increasing the competitiveness of the domestic electrical equipment sector.
J K Agarwal, Joint MD, Genus Power Infrastructures________________________________________________
The switchgear market overall has seen a tapered growth for past 2-3 years due to adverse macro-economic scenario.
AV Jagdish, Vice President, Switchgear Division, Havells India Ltd._______________________________________________
The market is further anticipated to witness sound healthy growth rates and empowering demand for the impending years
Anil Kadam, Senior Manager – Solution Architect (Utility Segment), Schneider Electric India.

Power equipment market on turnaround
With new policies as well as ‘Make In India’ initiative, the power equipment industry is on the verge of becoming more powerful
 The global electrical equipment market is expected to increase from a cumulative size of more than $3 trillion (2008-15) to $ 6.8 trillion (2016-30). There has been an overall growth in most segments of the electrical equipment industry — transformers, power cables, switchgear — due to the high demand from central and state power utilities. Over the past couple of decades, power planning had a great setback and accomplished not more than 50 per cent of the target. With the installation of the new government, the industry is hoping for the better, as tangible progress in getting clearances of various power projects have been observed.
Mission 2012-2022The Indian Electrical Equipment Industry Mission Plan 2012-2022 has planned to make India the country of choice for the production of electrical equipment and reach an output of $100 billion by balancing exports and imports. No doubt the next 5 years would be extremely crucial for the Indian electrical equipment industry as it prepares to meet the rapidly rising domestic demand.
Rajendrakumar L Sharma, CMD, SPEL Technologies Pvt. Ltd. has an interesting point to share. He cites the example of lithium-ion battery, “About 70 per cent research on lithium-ion battery is either done in India or by Indians, but we do not have a single manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries in India. Electronics field is no different which reads 80 per cent of designing of electronics is either done in India or by Indians, but hardly 2 per cent of that is manufactured in India.”
The government should create right environment and promote technocrat-oriented enterprise, and prevent brain drain. Our research programs should be result oriented rather than thesis oriented. We need to seize the opportunities ahead to leverage our resources to create wealth and prosperity for generations to come. We need to work with vision that creates lasting prosperity instead of feeding an endless cycle of boom and bust.
According to J K Agarwal, Joint MD, Genus Power Infrastructures Ltd., “The Mission 2012-2022 will establish a clear roadmap for increasing the competitiveness of the domestic electrical equipment sector. It is also needed to focus on the next generation of reforms in the power sector, specifically the power transmission and distribution sector.”
The government should take a holistic approach as the power sector is critical for the socio-economic development of the nation, as well as the industry needs to upscale the size of its operations and manufacture quality products at the most affordable prices so that the buyers from International market can be attracted.
“In order to achieve this ambitious target, we have to see how far the government is able to implement the industry friendly policy,” says Anil Krishna, Vice President, Borouge (India) Pvt. Ltd. “Starting from making land and infrastructure available for industry to be set up, single window clearances, labour law reforms, taxation policy all needs to be updated to meet global competition. In a democratic country like India, implementation and execution is always a challenge.”
It won’t be surprising to see phenomenal changes on the product side driven by emergence of disruptive innovations like fuel cells and choice of fuels for power generation considering latest trend of oil economy. No wonder the government has prepared a very comprehensive mission plan for the industry and have touched upon all the aspects. It is the monitoring of extent and speed of implementation of recommendations that will ensure the success.
Then there is innovation which plays a big role in achieving exports target of $23 billion by 2022 as we must get first mover advantage to reap benefits in this competitive industry. The government should also support or rather subsidise innovation in power sector to make the Indian power industry a super success story.
Domestic versus foreign equipmentIndian equipment manufacturers not only cater to the domestic demand but also export to several developed and developing nations. According to Vimal Kejriwal, Managing Director and CEO, KEC International, “There is a positive outlook and acceptance towards Indian manufactured equipment by countries across the globe. Around 55-60 per cent of our order book consistently comes from foreign markets.”
With continuous progress being done on the quality front, India churns products that are well placed globally. Generally, the Indian manufacturers follow IEC standards as well as whenever required conform to US and Canada — ANSI, NEMA, IEEE, UL and other standards.
Industry needs to understand that either your customers come back or products come back. Mr Rajendrakumar explains, “The demand of any origin equipment or product is governed by commitment to understand, meet and when possible exceed customers’ requirements at ethically best price for said performance and after-sales service backup. If Indian industry follows this, foreign invasion in this product domain is remote chance. Indian industry needs to be on toes and open to process of long-term evolution of product they manufacture to be in the race.”
Growing transformer marketThe transformer market in India has been in a sound state for a few years now. “The market is further anticipated to witness sound healthy growth rates and empowering demand for the impending years,” believes Anil Kadam, Senior Manager – Solution Architect (Utility Segment), Schneider Electric India. “The government initiatives alongside the need of substitution of transformers introduced in the previous years are relied upon to drive development in the Indian transformers market. Schneider Electric India is a well-established manufacturer having capabilities to develop all type of transformers up to the 800 kV and 1,200 kV levels.”
Transformer industry is completely geared up with latest innovations and technologies for manufacture of transformer of highest ratings, i.e. 1,500 MVA at 765 KV voltage class. The industry is capable of catering the demand or requirement of domestic market besides 50 per cent of the export requirements.
Switchgear market getting turned onIncreasing investment in manufacturing segment as well as urban and rural infrastructure development have turned on the switchgear industry for the better. The switchgear and control gear industry in India is currently valued at ` 135 billion in FY 2013 and has been growing at 15 per cent for the past 3 years. It is estimated that the industry is going to touch about ` 215 billion by FY 2017, growing at a diminished CAGR of 10 per cent.
India is the world’s sixth largest energy consumer, accounting for 3.4 per cent of global energy consumption, and the nation is witnessing increased investments in the manufacturing segment as well as urban and rural infrastructure development all over the country.
According to AV Jagdish, Vice President, Switchgear Division, Havells India Ltd., “The switchgear market overall has seen a tapered growth for past 2-3 years due to adverse macro-economic scenario. With a stable government with focused plan to improve Indian economy and its new investment plans in infrastructure development, the market looks determined to reinvigorate growth.”
The per capita total energy consumption in India was 917.2 KWh by March 2013. Due to India’s economic rise, the demand for electrical energy has touched great heights. The per capita total energy consumption is now expected to grow to 1,200 KWh by 2016. “With the rapid increase in urbanisation, new residential and commercial complexes, there is a high demand for electrical switchgears,” says Rajesh Nandwani, Business Unit Head – Switchgear, Anchor Electricals Pvt. Ltd. “The low-voltage switchgear market size in India is about ` 11,000 crore. The domestic switchgear market is about ` 2,200 crore which includes products like MCB, RCCB and DB.”
The need to have a safe, reliable and efficient power distribution setup at both micro and macro levels is providing growth opportunities to the low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) switchgear markets in India.Powerful power cables marketThe new government, the new policies, the “Make In India’ initiative, and a mission to make India the choice for the production of electrical equipment and reach an output of $100 billion by balancing exports and imports, the wires and cables market is in a such position from where success is just a step away.
“Wire and cable business growth is linked to power and infrastructure segment growth,” remarks Mr Krishna. “With auctioning of coal blocks to power producers, the sector is likely to show double digit growth for next 3-4 years.”
However, large part growth across manufacturing and infrastructure sector has been subdued. Market sentiments have improved largely due to falling commodity prices but are yet to see a turnaround. At the same time, the government has promised investment in railways, ports, smart cities renewable generation and distribution amongst others. This bodes well for cables market, and the industry can expect it to grow annually at 10-12 per cent.
If the government succeeds to facilitate infrastructure creation, promote capabilities, create a favourable and predictable business environment, attract investments, and promote R&D, the power equipment industry will show a major turnaround in growth.___________________________________Around 55-60 per cent of our order book consistently comes from foreign markets.
Vimal Kejriwal, MD and CEO, KEC International___________________________________–
About 70 per cent research on lithium-ion battery is either done in India or by Indians, but we do not have a single manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries in India.
Rajendrakumar L Sharma, CMD, SPEL Technologies Pvt. Ltd._________________________________________
The Mission 2012-2022 will establish a clear roadmap for increasing the competitiveness of the domestic electrical equipment sector.
J K Agarwal, Joint MD, Genus Power Infrastructures________________________________________________
The switchgear market overall has seen a tapered growth for past 2-3 years due to adverse macro-economic scenario.
AV Jagdish, Vice President, Switchgear Division, Havells India Ltd._______________________________________________
The market is further anticipated to witness sound healthy growth rates and empowering demand for the impending years
Anil Kadam, Senior Manager – Solution Architect (Utility Segment), Schneider Electric India.