75 years of powering India: Hitachi Energy

The company plans to invest around INR 2000crore in expanding capacity, portfolio, and talent base, to drive sustainable energy future in India

Hitachi Energy has taken pride in contributing to various nation-building projects in India over the last 75 years. From Hindustan Electric to Hindustan Brown Boveri, ABB Power Grids, Hitachi ABB Power Grids, and now Hitachi Energy – the pioneering technology leader has played a significant role in the country's energy transition since 1949.

The company will host a two-day experiential technology symposium, Energy & Digital World 75 (EDW75), to celebrate this milestone, encapsulating technologies and discussions toward advancing India's Net-Zero journey. The event was inaugurated by Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, Andreas Schierenbeck, Global CEO, Hitachi Energy, and N Venu, Managing Director and CEO, Hitachi Energy India.

To mark this milestone year, Hitachi Energy India Limited plans to invest around INR 2000 crores over the next four to five years, contingent on continuing underlying trends as India marches on towards becoming the third largest economy in the world.

“The energy challenge before us is bigger than one company, one team, and one individual. As the energy transition gathers pace with increased electrification and integration of renewables, power grids are becoming increasingly significant both from a capacity and complexity perspective. We remain focused on advancing a sustainable energy future for all and India is an important market in our effort to make the world's energy system more sustainable, flexible, and secure,” says Andreas Schierenbeck, Global CEO of Hitachi Energy. “We have been continuously investing in India over the past seven and a half decades. The new investments are geared toward expanding and upgrading capacity and talent, strengthening supply chain and enabling flexibility through digitalization in line with the Hitachi Energy 2030 strategic growth plan.”

“Through innovative technologies and solutions, Hitachi Energy seeks to create a world suitable for today's generations and those to come. These investments anticipate India's future energy requirement – to accelerate new energy transition and sustainable electrification – and the evolving nature of collaboration with customers and other stakeholders locally and in global markets, especially through digitalization and a lifecycle partner. It further strengthens our vision of make in India for India and the rest of the world,” said N Venu, Managing Director and CEO, Hitachi Energy India.

Key highlights of the investments include a significant capacity expansion of the large power transformers factory, upgraded testing capabilities for specialty transformers at the small power transformers and the relocation of the bushings factory, all crucial to further develop the country’s transmission projects to meet increasing energy demands. The capacity of the traction transformers factory will also be boosted to support the modernization of the Indian railway network. This investment will bolster the manufacturing capacity of Hitachi Energy India's production facilities.

Additionally, plans are underway to expand the network control solutions offering and develop and manufacture localized Grid eXpand and Grid eMotion. The company will also introduce its maiden medium voltage offering- REF650—to the Indian market. Furthermore, concerted efforts will be made to nurture the supplier base in India for India and the world.

Energy and Digital World 75 (EDW75): EDW75, commemorating 75 years of Hitachi Energy's presence in India, is being held on Oct. 7 and 8, 2024 in New Delhi with the participation of over 2000 policymakers, regulators, diplomats, customers, suppliers, academia and think tanks. Over 50 global and Indian industry experts will share their views through multiple technology sessions on new energy integration, strengthening sustainable electrification, and creating smart infrastructure.

Over the last decade, the transition to clean energy has gathered momentum in India, creating demand for transformative technologies. At the event, Hitachi Energy will present the world’s first SF₆-free 420-kilovolt gas-insulated switchgear from its EconiQ™ portfolio that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating the use of sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆).

Grid-eMotion® portfolio – a game-changer in the electric vehicle charging ecosystem will be launched at the event. This smart mobility solution will accelerate the uptake of safe, sustainable, and smart mobility in India, especially for large-scale public transport and commercial fleets. Technological solutions such as these will be pivotal in accelerating the country's journey toward its Net-Zero ambition.

At the event, Hitachi Energy will unveil Grid-enSure™ portfolio that comprises the company’s present and future solutions based on power electronics and advanced control systems to enhance the grid’s flexibility, resilience, and stability. The company will also introduce REF650, a medium-voltage protection and control relay, bolstering its presence in the power distribution market.

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