Infrastructural development driving switchgear market in India

ABB has been a pioneer in introducing arc safety compliances for MV switchgear applications in the market.

Ganesh Kothawade, President, Distribution Solutions Division, Electrification Business-  ABB India 

What drives the growth of the Switchgear market in India, and what future opportunities does it hold?

The Switchgear market in India is driven by rapid infrastructural development across sectors that need a strong electrical infrastructure backbone for successful running of business operations. With increasing demand for reliable electricity supply and a push towards green energy, the switchgear market is poised for significant growth. Several upcoming segment domains are going to witness significant investment starting from Renewables, Semiconductors, Green Hydrogen, etc. In addition, investment in infrastructure will surely push for growth in Metals, Mining & Cement. All the above segments are witnessing double-digit growth. The digitalization of power systems and the adoption of advanced technologies like Eco-friendly switchgear, and sensor-based protection systems will result in further opportunities soon

What factors and policies promote switchgear sustainability to meet industry standards?

Growing concerns about climate change have led to industry players committing to sustainable goals. There is a dedicated effort towards building environmentally friendly equipment and components that reduce the carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency. ABB has always been committed to its sustainability goals. A recent example has been the launch of one of the first eco-ready GIS for 11kV which is a significant technological breakthrough. The digital initiative would positively impact the switchgear sustainability in terms of the development of sensors and M&D devices which would result in potential savings of CO2 emissions. 

Explain the USPs of ABB switchgears and their sector applications.

ABB MV switchgear is being used for power distribution in approx. all segments viz. Renewables, Metals, Rail, Chemical, Oil&Gas, Cement, Infrastructure etc. ABB switchgear has been designed with the utmost consideration for personnel & equipment safety and is compact in design to give maximum value to the customer. All MV switchgear is tested for Internal arc compliance. We were one of the first in India to launch the arc-proof MV switchgear. ABB has been a pioneer in introducing arc safety compliances for MV switchgear applications in the market. The state-of-the-art 61850 compliant Numerical relay along with the possibility to utilise CT/VT sensors & condition monitoring devices makes the switchgear Digitally enabled & future-ready. ABB has a full basket offering for power distribution applications including specialized breakers for Arc furnaces, back-to-back capacitor switching, Generator applications, high-end vacuum contactors for motor switching & high-altitude applications. The centralised protection device SSC600 is another technological breakthrough that would potentially bring a landscape change in protection philosophy and will make the system much more robust and user-friendly. ABB is a one-stop solution provider for the power distribution needs of our customers.

Which upcoming market segments show potential for Switchgear products?

It’s exciting to see new segments emerging and backed by a strong fundamental base. Segments like Renewables, data centers, E-mobility, Semiconductors, Green hydrogen, and Battery manufacturing are the prominent ones that would be in the delta growth in switchgear in the market. GoI’s ambition to reach approx. 450 GW of renewable energy is a strong driver of growth in the renewable sector. Datacenter’s capacities are expected to double in two years and are further pushed by increased focus on Digital assets, 5G & AI. Focus on sustainable or green energy is adding opportunities in green hydrogen and e-mobility. Investment in local manufacturing of semiconductors  & batteries is expected to contribute positively to switchgear growth. 

How is ABB Nashik developing its workforce for the future of sustainable energy?

I strongly believe sustainable energy is the future. At ABB Nashik, people are at the forefront of driving energy transition. We are actively developing our workforce to align with the demands of sustainable energy. We hire young talents who are focused on sustainability and want to contribute positively towards climate change and drive innovation. Internal programs such as Household E-Waste and Battery Waste Collection initiatives are some of the ways we contribute towards building a culture of sustainable environment and imbibing a mindset towards sustainability. We are invested in training our people for upcoming trends in the Switchgear industry through global and local support.