en.Wedoany.com Reported - C-sec Technologies executive Vikas Gupta told EPR during the ELAsia 2026 exhibition that the company is developing medium voltage switchgear that replaces sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) with factory-manufactured dry air, while also building a vacuum interrupter factory to achieve in-house production of core components.
Gupta stated that driven by government initiatives such as the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), Smart Cities Mission, renewable energy integration, and electric vehicle infrastructure, India's power distribution sector is experiencing a massive boom. Compared to power generation, the distribution sector has been underinvested for decades, and now substantial funds are pouring in. Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are moving transmission lines underground like metropolitan areas, driving huge demand for medium voltage switchgear and ring main units.
To remain competitive, C-sec Technologies has supplied thousands of SCADA-integrated smart ring main units to major utilities such as Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) and Chennai. In response to environmental concerns over SF6 gas, a potent greenhouse gas, the company is actively developing "F-gas-free" solutions. Its dedicated R&D team is developing an eco-friendly switchgear that replaces SF6 with factory-manufactured dry air. This equipment is currently undergoing type testing and validation, with commercialization expected by the end of next year. Additionally, to capture more market share and secure the supply chain, C-sec is building a large-scale vacuum interrupter manufacturing plant. Vacuum interrupters are the core components of medium voltage switchgear; by producing them in-house rather than relying on external suppliers, the company will eliminate supply chain bottlenecks, achieve economies of scale, and ensure self-sufficiency.
In terms of market and operations, C-sec currently collaborates with over 35 state-level power distribution companies and is expanding into untapped markets through strategic resource allocation to secure more government tenders. Since 99% of ring main unit buyers are utilities or their contractors, its growth is deeply rooted in the B2G (business-to-government) ecosystem. The company sees significant opportunities in renewable energy grid integration and the emerging electric vehicle sector. The government's plan to mandate 3 to 4 charging stations at every fuel station will force large-scale upgrades to distribution systems; upgrading fuel stations from 50 kW loads to accommodate multiple 70 kW chargers requires larger transformers and high-capacity feeders, where medium voltage switchgear is critical for such infrastructure modifications.
On the supply chain front, Gupta noted serious challenges from geopolitical issues. The company imports certain components from Europe, previously shipped via the Red Sea route, taking 15 to 25 days to reach Mumbai's Jawaharlal Nehru Port. Due to ongoing conflicts in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, vessels must now circumnavigate the Cape of Good Hope, extending transit time to 45 days, forcing the company to increase inventory levels of these critical components. Managing sudden disruptions is also a challenge: the company's switchgear manufacturing requires powder coating followed by baking, with ovens initially using LPG fuel. When the government suddenly imposed a 50% cap on LPG supply, its team secured a CNG connection overnight and collaborated with the oven supplier to make necessary equipment modifications.
As a domestic switchgear manufacturer, Gupta believes India needs more local players in this field, which is currently dominated by foreign companies. He stated that with rapidly growing demand for medium voltage switchgear, more local manufacturers should enter this sector.
