The wire & cable sector sees growth driven by increased funding: Reshu Madan

  • Interviews
  • Nov 26,24
India's wire and cable sector is distinguished by its rapid adaptation to high-performance requirements in response to the country’s expanding infrastructure needs. The market's growth is being propelled by demand in various applications, including urbanisation, renewable energy integration, and last-mile connectivity. In this interview with Sanskriti Ramachandran, Reshu Madan, CEO- Global Products & Services, Sterlite Power delves into the complexities of the Indian wire and cable industry.
The wire & cable sector sees growth driven by increased funding: Reshu Madan

What are the key markets Sterlite Power is focusing on, and how do you tailor your offerings?
Sterlite Power’s focus on global expansion is driven by a strategic approach to regions where the infrastructure aligns with our expertise in high-performance conductors and advanced cabling solutions. Key markets such as the Americas, Europe, and Latin America have shown significant demand for high-ampacity, space-efficient transmission solutions due to their evolving energy landscape including renewables and challenges like land scarcity and stringent environmental norms.

To meet these unique regional demands, we tailor our products and solutions which offer enhanced transmission capacity while optimising physical footprint—a critical advantage in densely populated or environmentally sensitive areas. For instance, in the US and Latin American markets, we are deploying high-performance conductors (HPCs) that can carry higher loads without expanding the existing footprint, a solution that directly addresses grid constraints in these regions. We have also been granted a patent on high ampacity cables. Hence, by expanding our export initiatives and emphasising on technology-driven, region-specific solutions, we are poised to significantly enhance global infrastructure resilience and energy efficiency.

How are you leveraging smart technologies to upgrade power infrastructure?
At Sterlite Power, we are at the forefront of adopting digital tools and smart technologies to drive modernisation in the power infrastructure sector. Through innovations like drone technology for OPGW stringing and live-line reconductoring, we enhance the productivity, safety, and efficiency of our projects, particularly in challenging terrains. This capability enables us to meet the urgent demands of grid expansion while minimising disruptions in power supply.

Our commitment to digital transformation also extends to implementing Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) with high fibre capacity, supporting data-heavy applications and enhancing grid intelligence. For -instance, India is transitioning to 96-fibre and 144-fibre OPGW, facilitating the digital backbone required for a modernised grid. These digital tools not only boost infrastructure resilience but also create a grid better equipped to handle the integration of renewable energy, supporting our clients in achieving sustainability goals while ensuring grid stability and reliability.

What are the unique strengths of India's wire and cable industry?
India’s wire and cable industry is distinguished by its rapid adaptation to high-performance requirements in response to the country’s expanding infrastructure needs. The sector’s growth is being propelled by demand in various applications, including urbanisation, renewable energy integration, and last-mile connectivity. Key strengths include the industry’s focus on enhancing transmission efficiency through high-quality products like Extra-High-Voltage (EHV) cables, High Temperature Low Sag (HTLS) conductors and solutions like reconductoring which are increasingly vital in densely populated or difficult terrains.

Looking forward, the sector is poised for significant growth, supported by government initiatives in renewable energy and urban development, such as metro projects and data center expansions. Initiatives like the PLI scheme and investments in renewable energy projects by the government have further bolstered the industry. As demand for efficient and high-capacity transmission solutions grows, the wire and cable industry in India is expected to achieve a 8-10% CAGR, reflecting the country’s robust infrastructure investments and its role in supporting sustainable energy goals.

What are some of the key market trends and growth drivers for the industry?
The Indian wire and cable industry is witnessing significant growth, driven by increasing investments in renewable energy, urban infrastructure, and the need for grid modernisation. One significant trend is the growing adoption of high-performance conductors and advanced cables to enhance transmission capacity, addressing the pressing need for space-efficient solutions in areas where land acquisition is challenging.

Government initiatives supporting the development of data centres, metro projects, and renewable power integration are major growth drivers. This demand for high-quality, high-ampacity cables is also propelling innovation within the industry. Products such as HVDC cables for long-distance transmission and optical ground wires (OPGW) for data capabilities are becoming more prominent, aligning with India's ambitious goals to strengthen its grid and meet future energy demands. This environment of innovation and investment sets a promising outlook for the wire and cable industry in India.

How is Sterlite supporting the integration of renewable sources into the grid? 
Sterlite Power is fully committed to enabling the global energy transition by providing solutions that support the integration of renewable energy sources into existing grids and contributing in the decarbonization journey. Being one of the largest manufacturers of high-performance conductors across the globe, we play a crucial role in enhancing grid capacity through advanced technology and clean energy solutions. For instance, by collaborating with our technology partner, we have developed Aluminium Conductor Composite Core (ACCC) technology which aims at delivering high-ampacity, energy-efficient transmission solutions that reduce line losses and accommodate renewable energy influx.

Be it the high-performance conductor deployed on the longest river crossing at Brahmaputra in India or the 220kV 2500sq mm cable development or providing conductors for green energy corridors for TBCB projects, Sterlite has been at the forefront of developing innovative products and solutions. We are also excited about advancements in Optical Ground Wire (OPGW), where we lead the market with high-fibre-count products, including a new 96-fiber variant that enables enhanced data and communication capabilities within the grid. This combination of advanced conductors and smart OPGW solutions allows us to support green energy integration and drive grid modernisation, ultimately paving the way for a sustainable and secure energy future.

What is your vision for the next five years?
Our vision is to become one of the top 10 global wire & cables players in the world. the global products & solutions business is witnessing rapid growth driven by significant tailwinds across the global market. The market looks promising for the next 5-10 years with a projected CAGR of 8-10 per cent in India and 6-8 per cent globally for both overhead and cables. From 2024 onwards, we are investing heavily in expanding capacity through brownfield and greenfield expansions. We will leverage on our expertise in niche areas like end-to-end EHV solutions and high-performance conductors to further expand our market reach. Additionally, we are actively exploring opportunities to expand our international footprint, engage in inorganic expansion and venture into high-value products. Our production capabilities, coupled with our expertise in delivering innovative & problem-solving solutions, position us to meet the rising global demand for reliable, efficient transmission products and solutions.

Looking forward, we are particularly excited about providing future ready offerings by expanding our product portfolio with solar cables, advanced cables and high-performance conductors. Our OPGW portfolio currently boasts of 96-fibre solutions, and we will be coming up with 144-fibre solutions in the coming year. With these innovations, Sterlite Power is well-positioned to drive growth, support large-scale renewable integration, and transform power infrastructure for the next generation.

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