Legacy of the Tata Sierra — and Why Its Return Matters
Hitachi Energy India lias at the intersection of legacy power-equipment manufacturing and next-generation grid technologies, positioning itself as a key partner in India's energy transformation. The company—part of the global Hitachi Energy Group—combines decades of local manufacturing experience with global know-how in transformers, high-voltage products, grid automation and HVDC (high-voltage direct current) systems. Its Indian operations trace a long lineage of manufacturing and engineering that dates back to the mid-20th century, and today the India business is a key manufacturing and project delivery hub for the company's global portfolio.
A balanced portfolio: products, systems and services
Hitachi Energy India operates through multiple business lines that together support utilities, large industries, renewable project developers and grid operators. These include power transformers and transformer components, high-voltage products (circuit breakers, instrument transformers, HV switchgear), grid integration systems (substation equipment and turnkey solutions), and digital grid automation products and services. The combination allows the company to not only supply individual equipment, but also design and deliver integrated transmission projects and long-term service agreements – capabilities that are increasingly important as India ramps up renewable generation and interstate transmission.
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Manufacturing footprint and local investment
Hitachi Energy's manufacturing presence in India is concentrated in Gujarat and Karnataka, where legacy factories have been modernized and expanded over time.
The company was selected to deliver an HVDC transmission link to carry power from a key renewable field to demand centers at Bhadla in Rajasthan – a 950 kilometer long HVDC connection designed to transport several gigawatts of clean energy across the states. Such projects are central to India's ambitions to increase non-fossil production and solve interstate transmission bottlenecks.
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Another important contract announced in 2025 was the supply of 765 kV, 500 MVA single-phase transformers to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID). Ultra-high-voltage transformers of this class are enabling infrastructure to strengthen long-distance transmission networks and increase grid resiliency as demand increases. These orders demonstrate Hitachi Energy India's engineering capability to produce very large transformers that meet India's extra-high-voltage (EHV) needs.
Expanding local supply chains and low-carbon manufacturing
Beyond equipment and systems, Hitachi Energy is investing in building local supply-chain capabilities and components. A notable example is the expansion of the Mysuru facility to boost production of transformer-grade pressboard and insulation materials – critical inputs for transformer manufacturing. The Mysuru expansion also emphasizes ultra low-carbon production lines, which align with lifecycle-emission reductions in the supply chain and support customers' net-zero ambitions. Such steps secure domestic supply for transformers and help reduce carbon embedded in the grid infrastructure.
Technology Focus: HVDC, Grid Automation and Digitalization
Two technology themes are central to Hitachi Energy India's work: (1) enabling long-distance, high-capacity transmission through HVDC and FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) and (2) digitalization of grid operations. HVDC technologies provide efficient long-distance transfer of large blocks of renewable energy with lower losses and greater controllability than AC transmission for similar distances; Hitachi Energy's global expertise in HVDC has been applied to several hundred kilometers of projects in India to facilitate renewable extraction. Additionally, grid automation and digital solutions help utilities monitor, protect and optimize networks that are becoming more complex with distributed renewable generation and variable loads.
Strategic importance for India's energy goals
India has set ambitious non-fossil energy targets and integrating intermittent wind and solar power on a large scale will require large investments in transmission, substation and flexible grid resources. Hitachi Energy India's blend of local manufacturing, project delivery experience and advanced transmission technology means the company is poised to support India's 500 GW (and growing) renewable expansion plans, strengthen interstate evacuation corridors and help utilities modernize their distribution and transmission assets. High-capacity orders and manufacturing investments announced in recent years underline this strategic alignment.
Challenges and opportunities ahead
The opportunities are important, but the challenges are also important. India's transmission projects require coordination among states, regulatory clarity on tariffs and land acquisition, and timely financing.
Promote Talent and Skill Development:
ReplyDeleteEncourage programs for training engineers, technicians, and digital specialists to support India’s growing power sector and future-ready grid transformation.