EHV Transmission Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis, By Range (800 kV – 1500 kV, 1500 kV- 3000 kV, and Above 3000 kV), By Application (Subsea Transmission, Underground Transmission, and Overhead Transmission), By End-User (Electric Utility Companies, Renewable Energy Developers, and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2025-2032

Extra High Voltage (EHV) lines are used to transmit large amounts of power over long distances. The higher the voltage, the lesser the losses. Also, due to more power can be transmitted over a single line, fewer lines are needed for transmission. Rapid growth in electricity demand, increased government incentive policies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, low transmission losses, and technical advancements are some of the factors driving the EHV transmission market. The market is expected to grow steadily in the coming years. American Electric Power owns the largest electric transmission system in the U.S., a 39,000-mile grid operating in 11 states and containing more 800 kV EHV transmission lines than the entire U.S. combined transmission systems. EHV systems help achieve this by significantly reducing unwanted losses. Major power companies around the world are rapidly installing large EHV transmission systems to increase efficiency.

• In March 2022, China began construction of an ultra-high voltage direct current transmission line that connects two provincial-level regions, according to the China State Grid Corporation. A total of 1,634 kilometers of power transmission project will begin in the northwest region of China, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and ends in Hunan province. It passed through six provincial-level regions across the country. The project has a nominal voltage of ±800 kV and a nominal transmission capacity of 8 million kilowatts, with a total investment of approximately USD 3.95 billion. On completion, this power line is estimated to supply more than 36 billion kWh of electricity annually to Hunan, a province with a high demand for electricity to support economic growth.

Another factor driving market growth is building power plants further away from consumption areas and closer to fuel supply centers due to strict emission regulations. Therefore, large capacities must be transported over long distances to meet demand. This greatly increased the deployment of very high-voltage transmission systems. The rapid construction of national grids around the world is another factor driving the demand for very high-voltage transmission systems.

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed new transmission line projects in many countries due to supply chain disruptions, market closures for raw material supply, and a rise in demand for electricity but a lack of supply. Post-COVID, the scenario has changed, and many new projects are being developed in the U.S., China, and Germany.

KEY INSIGHTS

The report covers the following key insights:

• Recent Advancements in the EHV Transmission Market

• Key Industry Trends

• Regulatory Landscape for the EHV Transmission Market

• Key Industry Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships)

• Impact of COVID-19 on the Market

SEGMENTATION

ANALYSIS BY RANGE

Based on range, the market is segmented into 800 kV – 1500 kV, 1500 kV – 3000 kV & Above 3000 kV. Further, 1500 kV – 3000 kV is the dominant segment in the market. 1500 KV and above range are used in railways, manufacturing industries, high voltage cables for electricity transmission, and subsea internet cables. All these applications are growing on a large scale all over the world. The growth of Internet connectivity has also grown tremendously in Europe, Asia & Africa, in addition to oil & gas transmission lines where power is required to transmit production from point A to point B. In the case of 800 kV – 1500 kV, small-scale railway lines, metro lines in large cities, and high-rise buildings are included. Above 3000 kV cables are used in quantum computing, supercomputers, where high random access memory is stored.

ANALYSIS BY APPLICATION

Based on application, the market is distributed into subsea transmission, underground transmission, and overhead transmission. The underground transmission segment dominates the EHV transmission market. Underground cables, due to the insulation and surrounding environment, tend to retain the heat produced in the copper/aluminum conductor. This heat then has to be dissipated to the surrounding environment. In Europe, Transmission System Operators’ (TSOs) plans reveal a trend of increasing grid expansion over the coming decade, alongside network refurbishments and upgrades. TSOs are also prioritizing non-wire solutions to alleviate grid congestion urgently, which leads to the growth of underground transmission. High-power power lines under the sea are known as subsea cables. These cables are specially designed to transmit electricity over waterways and connect power grids between land masses. The cables are insulated and placed on the seabed to prevent electrical leakage. Overhead transmission is a traditional way of transmitting electricity from the main grid system to different places.

ANALYSIS BY END-USER

Based on end-user, the market is segmented into electric utility companies, renewable energy developers, and others. Electric utility companies dominate the market share. Many electric utility companies install EHV cables for usage in commercial and industrial sectors. Modern heating and air conditioning has the extra high voltage cable experience and knowledge needed to keep appliances running in all conditions. Renewable energy developers are growing as the demand for renewable energy is increasing. In December 2023, NTPC Renewable Energy (NTPC REL) invited bids for the ground and extra high voltage (EHV) transmission system packageor development of inter-state transmission system (ISTS) linked solar power projects in Maharashtra of up to 800 MW capacity. Others include metro railway construction sites and high-speed railway networks. For example, Tata Power has announced that its project team has designed and proposed the construction of a new 3-circuit high voltage transmission tower at the Mumbai Metro construction site. The tower carries 220 kV overhead power lines, facilitating the clearing of clogged overhead power lines on the Mumbai Metro rail network between Amar Mahal, Ghatkopar, and Vikhroli. The project was completed in December 2021.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The EHV transmission market has been studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific leads the market in terms of market share. Particularly in countries, such as India and China, rapid urbanization, population growth, and industrialization are increasing the need for reliable and efficient power transmission. As a result, governments are investing heavily in the expansion of their power transmission networks, driving the demand for EHV transmission systems. For instance, in November 2019, JinkoSolar announced the delivery of 300 MW of its Tiger solar panels to an ultra-high voltage (800 KV) demonstration plant in China's Qinghai province. The project connected to an ultra-high voltage line, which the Chinese State Grid Corporation is building to connect the far northwest of the country with the more densely populated eastern provinces.

The market in North America is experiencing steady growth due to the ongoing modernization and upgradation of existing transmission infrastructure. The focus on grid reliability and the integration of renewable energy sources also supports the demand for EHV transmission systems in the region.

Europe, with its strong emphasis on renewable energy and the interconnection of power grids, is expected to witness significant growth in the EHV transmission system market. The integration of offshore wind farms, intercountry power exchange, and the development of smart grids are driving the adoption of EHV transmission systems in the region. In Latin America, the market is in the initial phase as new investment in internet connectivity is growing in the region. In the Middle East & Africa, the inter-continental Inga-Shaba Extra High Voltage DC is a 1,700 km +800 kV high voltage direct current line in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, linking the Inga hydroelectric power station at the mouth of the Congo to the Joki mineral fields in Shaba (Katanga). It was built primarily by the American engineering firm Morrison-Knudsen International with a transformer supplied by ASEA.

KEY PLAYERS COVERED

The report includes profiles of key players, such as Hitachi ABB, Siemens, GE Grid Solutions, NKT, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions, Mitsubishi Electric, BHEL, Alstom, Prysmian, and Crompton & Greaves.

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• In September 2021, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) played a key role in the successful implementation of the +800 kV, 6000 MW Ultra-high Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) link amongst the Western Regional grid (Raigarh, Chattisgarh) and Southern Region Grid (Pugalur, Tamil Nadu). BHEL contributed significantly to this project by supplying transformer transformers, shunt reactors, filter bank capacitors, and instrument transformers from its plant in Bhopal and thyristor valves from its electronics division in Bengaluru, in addition to other equipment and systems.


• In July 2021, Hitachi ABB Power Grids India announced that it successfully commissioned one of India's longest Ultra High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) transmission associates for Power Grid Corporation of India Limited. ±800 kV, 6GW link can cover the electricity needs of more than 80 million people. It stretches for 1,800 kilometers and connects Raigarh in central India with Pugalur in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.