Hitachi Energy India is seeing a broad-based surge in demand for grid infrastructure, led by transmission, renewables, data centres, battery storage and emerging industries such as semiconductors. With its order book at a record ₹32,000 crore, MD and CEO N Venu says India’s challenge is less about data centres competing with traditional industries for grid capacity and more about the way infrastructure is planned and procured. He argues that shifting from project-by-project procurement to a programme-based approach could provide greater visibility for utilities, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the wider ecosystem to build capacity ahead of demand.
Hitachi Energy India’s order book has crossed ₹32,000 crore. What is driving this growth, and how broad-based is the demand?
We booked around ₹5,000 crore of orders in the quarter and the good part is that these came from multiple segments. It includes industries, renewables, data centres and newer segments such as battery energy storage. We have therefore seen a very strong order inflow, which has taken our order backlog to the highest ever level of around ₹32,000 crore. This gives us revenue visibility for several quarters and years. The backlog is a combination of short-, medium- and long-term projects. Large projects can have an execution cycle of 44-48 months, while some battery energy storage system (BESS) projects can be completed in six to seven months.
Which segments are seeing the strongest demand?
Transmission is definitely the highest. The National Electricity Plan has a very robust plan for 400 kV, 800 kV and 200 kV transmission systems, as well as High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC). Renewables are also continuing to grow — India added around 50 GW of renewable capacity last year. Data centres are another strong growth segment, along with battery energy storage and industries such as semiconductors.
Data centres are expected to consume significantly more power in India. How significant could this become for Hitachi Energy?
Our order inflows from data centres were very significant this quarter and the pipeline is also robust. Depending on the type of data centre, around 10-15 per cent of its capex can be relevant to our existing portfolio. Hyperscalers require significant grid connectivity, transformers and GIS. We have also launched a grid-to-rack solution that is containerised and modular and can be scaled up.
Globally, there is concern that data centres could compete with traditional industries for grid capacity. Could India face such a situation?
Grid expansion is universally required. It is needed not just for data centres but also for industries, urbanisation and changing load centres. The National Electricity Plan talks about around 900 GW of renewable capacity and matching evacuation capacity by 2036. Data centres add an additional challenge, but once the grid is expanded, the benefit accrues to everyone. So there is a perceived demand-supply issue, but I would call it more a perception than a real constraint if planning is done in an advanced manner.
You have entered BESS with a 165 MW order. Why is storage becoming important now?
India has added around 300 GW of renewable capacity, and storage is required to make that renewable power available around the clock. Pumped storage and BESS are both needed. We see close to 80 GW of BESS lined up through around 2030-32. Our first project in India is a C&I project where we are providing the end-to-end solution, with a six-to-seven-month delivery schedule.
With data centres growing rapidly, how can India balance that growth with sustainability?
Data centres need to grow in India, but sustainability has to remain a focus. For example, SF6 gas used in GIS is highly potent as a greenhouse gas. We have developed SF6-free GIS and circuit breakers, including technology tested at 550 kV and 400 kV. Low-loss transformers and more sustainable technologies will also be important. Growth and sustainability have to move together.
Published on August 10, 2026
