Market Trends of South America Gas Insulated Switchgear Industry
High Voltage Hold Significant Market Share
- The power system that deals with voltage above 36kV is referred to as high voltage switchgear. As the voltage level is high, the arcing produced during the switching operation is also very high. So, special care is to be taken while designing high-voltage switchgear. High voltage circuit breaker is the main component of HV switchgear. Hence high-voltage (HV) circuit breakers (CBs) should have special features for safe and reliable operation.
- These switchgears have multiple usages across industries such as wind turbines, electrical motors, generators, solar power generation, residential power distribution, power supply systems, environmentally sensitive installation, underground stations, steel, paper, and mining industry, and a growing number of marine applications. The main application of the segment stems from the increasing demand for modernizing and constructing large transmission and distribution networks worldwide, particularly in countries within the Asia-Pacific region where growth rates are particularly high.
- However, the segment has been plagued with downtime and maintenance issues. For this, companies such as ACTOM high voltage (HVE) in conjunction with its technology partners, are developing asset performance management solutions to help customers with condition-based maintenance strategies. Such endeavors in the industry are expected to aid the market's growth by providing a more feasible alternative, especially when compared to its peers.
- Also, the growing high-voltage direct current (HVDC) market is expected to aid the market's growth with large projects. Further, long-distance transmission capacity investments, particularly in HVDC, are required to meet future electricity demand as there are plans for additional consumption and generation potential.
- In 2021, the Chilean government announced a tender for the construction and operation of Chile's first long-distance HVDC power line. The power line consists of a 1,500 km 600 kV power line that is expected to have a capacity of 3,000 MW and run between the Kimal substation in the Antofagasta region and Lo Aguirre in the Metropolitan region. This cost of the project is USD 2.5 billion.
- Furthermore, Argentina has set a goal to generate 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025, a significant increase from the current share of approximately 11.27% as of 2021. In 2021, Argentina's electricity generation reached 152.5 TWh.
- Similarly, Chile's government presented a coal-phase-out plan in 2019 that aims to completely turn off its 5.5 GW of coal-fired generation capacity by 2040, with 1.04 GW set to retire by 2025, which is expected to be replaced through renewable additions, storage technology, and low-emission natural gas plants. Their objective is to achieve a 60% share of renewable energy by 2035 and further increase it to 70% by 2050.
- In conclusion, the region has a significant potential for the gas-insulated switchgear market owing to increasing diversification of the electricity generation mix, investments in the transmission and distribution sector, and developments in the power sector.
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Brazil Expected to Dominate the Market
- Brazil is unarguably one of the largest electricity markets in South America. As of January 2021, Brazil generates and distributes electricity to over 85 million residential, commercial, and industrial consumers, more than all the combined power produced by other South American nations.
- Over the years, the country has witnessed significant growth in the electricity generation capacity and the transmission and distribution network, which can be attributed to the country's growing electricity demand coupled with remarkable efforts from the government. Much like the rest of the market, the gas-insulated switchgear market in the country depends on the development of the electricity infrastructure in the country.
- The Brazilian Energy Research Company's (EPE) Energy Expansion Plan (PDE) for 2019-2029 indicates that renewable sources will remain a priority for the country, aiming to achieve 48% renewables in Brazils energy mix in 2029. According to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in 2022, Brazil's installed renewable capacity reached 175.26 GW.
- Furthermore, nuclear energy is also set to grow with the Angra 3 power plant's entry into operation, estimated for 2026. Additionally, non-renewable sources such as oil and gas will continue to play a vital role in the energy supply for the country.
- In June 2022, the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) and the Electric Energy Commercialization Chamber (CCEE) commenced a new energy auction for 29 renewable energy projects, expecting an investment of around BRL 7 billion (USD 1.33 billion). The projects are estimated to be around 947 MW, which will be connected to the National Interconnected System between 2026 and 2045 to meet the demand of three market distributors (Cemig, Coelba, and Light).
- Further, increasing investment in the transmission and distribution segment is expected to translate into increased demand for gas-insulated switchgear in the region. In September 2021, Elecnor, a subsidiary of Elecnor do Brazil, announced the construction of a 200 Km transmission line from a solar power plant in Minas Gerais to the National Interconnected System. The first section will stretch into the municipalities of Janaúba and Jaíba. It will be of 93 Km 230 kV double-circuit transmission line. The second section will link Pirapora with Três Marias via a 112 Km 345 kV single-circuit transmission line. The transmission network is expected to have a total capacity of 1.6 GW and is estimated to have an expenditure of around EUR 18.5 million (USD 21.83 million).
- According to the International Trade Administration (ITA), by 2029, total investments in the power transmission sector of Brazil are projected to reach USD 22 billion, representing USD 15 billion in transmission lines and USD 7 billion in substations. Furthermore, the power distribution sector already sees an annual investment of around USD 2.2 billion per year, of which 69% goes into expansion, 19% into improvement, and 12% into the renewal of distribution networks.
- This further endorses the development and improvement of the transmission and distribution segment of the country, which would, in turn, drive the growth of the gas-insulated switchgear market in Brazil.
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