The Transformer At Apar

Kushal Desai has put the electric equipment maker on growth path by tapping into a record increase in transformer capacity.

- Rajiv Ranjan Singh

INDIA IS MORE power hungry than ever. According to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) estimates, the country is likely to witness a record increase in transformer capacity in FY25, with 1,16,490 MVA of substation capacity expected to come on stream.

Electric equipment maker Apar Industries chairman and MD Kushal Desai is ready to tap into this and the country’s mammoth investments in developing infrastructure in transmission & distribution (T&D), renewables, transportation, telecom, defence, etc.

Electricity demand in India is being driven by expansion of manufacturing sector, decarbonisation, electrification, and rapid urbanisation. The country targets 500GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 led by solar and wind, against 197GW currently. There is a large opportunity in the offshore wind segment as the government plans 37GW of capacity addition by 2030 in order to capitalise on India’s 7,000 plus km coastline.

According to CEA, around ₹2.5 lakh crore, or $30 billion, will be invested in the next six years (by FY30) to add 50,890 ckm (circuit km) of transmission line capacity and 433,575 MVA of substation capacity at the Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) level to evacuate renewable power. Four mega HVDC (high voltage direct current) transmission lines are already under various stages of planning and bidding, according to a recent Prabhudas Lilladher report. ISTS refers to the transport of electricity generated from any kind of energy source across state boundaries via grid transmission lines.

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