This report provides an insight on the established European switchgear industry. In this research, expert analysts thoroughly examine the following technologies: circuit breakers, reclosers, gas-insulated switchgear and disconnector.

Focus on Grid Automation Bolsters the High- and Medium-voltage Switchgear Market in Europe

An increase in the electrical installed capacity of developing and developed countries and the rising need for energy in commercial and industrial sectors are driving the demand for switchgears. The market for both high- and medium-voltage switchgears is tied to the development of infrastructure, as they are integral to the electrical network, both in the transmission and distribution space. In Europe, the advent of smart grids has resulted in a complete overhaul of electricity grids. Smart grids will modernize every facet of the electric delivery system including generation, transmission, distribution and consumption. The focus will be on the integration of intelligence into the existing switchgear across Europe. An intelligent switchgear will significantly enhance the efficiency and reliability of a grid and help utilities avoid blackouts and equipment failure. “A significant step in total grid automation is the harmonization of the electrical grids,” says the analyst of this research. “Interconnection of grids presents exciting opportunities for manufacturers, utilities and distributed network operators (DNO) alike.” HVDC has emerged the most viable technology for grid harmonisation. With 16 out of the 28 announced projects being completed, the European electricity markets are heading towards homogeneity in their electricity networks.

Owing to these grid automation and harmonisations, the market for high- and medium-voltage switchgear is growing despite its maturity. As the market has not witnessed many technological or product innovations, switchgear manufacturers are abandoning the traditional product-based approach for more innovative methods. The market nuances vary for high- and medium-voltage switchgear and since there is not much technological differentiation in the systems, value-added services will help companies stand out in the market. “Designing an appropriate solution is not only important to gain approval but is also critical to garner a substantial share of the market,” notes the analyst. “A homogenous mix of product and service offering will usually ensure strong revenue growth.” Manufacturers also have to strategise to deal with the price pressures caused by the recent economic downturn and the influx of manufacturers from China, India and South Korea. Deregulation and business dynamics also constantly pressure utilities to do more with less.

These challenges of price pressure and stagnant product development can be counterbalanced by the constant developments in offshore wind farms, as these farms offer greater scope than onshore wind farms for switchgear utilisation. Its large coastline and favourable regulatory environment have given a leg up to Europe’s offshore wind projects since 2007, with major advances in the northern European countries. This development presents considerable market opportunities for switchgear manufacturers.

Market Sectors

Expert analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:

By Geographic Region

• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Benelux
• Scandinavia
• Rest of Europe (Austria, Greece, the Republic of Ireland, Portugal and Switzerland)

Technologies

The following technologies are covered in this research:

• Circuit breakers
• Reclosers
• Gas insulated switchgear
• Disconnector

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction –Scope, Methodology and Definition

2. Executive Summary
   2.1 Market Forces and Market Forecasts
   2.2 Strategic and Competitive Analysis and Conclusions

3. Market Overview
   3.1 Types of Switchgear & Components
   3.2 Effect of Financial Crisis on Switchgear
   3.3 Market Engineering Measurements

4. Market Forces -Industry Challenges, Market Drivers and Restraints
   4.1 Industry Challenges
   4.2 Force field Analysis of Drivers and Restraints
   4.3 Market Drivers
   4.4 Market Restraints

5. Revenue Forecasts
   5.1 European High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market – A Snapshot
   5.2 Revenue Forecasts for High Voltage Switchgear and Components
   5.3 Revenue Forecasts for Medium Voltage Switchgear and Components

6. Strategic and Competitive Analysis
   6.1 Porter’s Five Forces
   6.2 Industry Structure
   6.3 Competitive Structure
   6.4 Tier and Market Share Analysis
   6.5 Top Participants – A Snapshot
   6.6 End Users

7. Geographic Analysis
   7.1 Introduction
   7.2 Country Overview–Germany
   7.3 Country Overview–France
   7.4 Country Overview–The United Kingdom
   7.5 Country Overview–Italy
   7.6 Country Overview–Benelux
   7.7 Country Overview–Spain
   7.8 Country Overview–Scandinavia
   7.9 Country Overview–Rest of Europe
   7.10 Regional Hot Stops and Emerging Geographies

LIST OF FIGURES

    High Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for Total High Voltage Switchgear (Europe), 2006-2016
    High Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for Gas Insulated Switchgear (Europe), 2006-2016
    High Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for High Voltage Circuit Breaker (Europe), 2006-2016
    High Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for High Voltage Disconnector (Europe), 2006-2016
    Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for Total Medium Voltage Switchgear (Europe), 2006-2016
    Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for Metal Clad Switchgear (Europe), 2006-2016
    Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for Metal Enclosed Switchgear (Europe), 2006-2016
    Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for Reclosers (Europe), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Competitive Structure (Europe), 2009
    High Voltage Switchgear Market: Market Share by Client Type for Top Companies (Europe), 2009
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Region-wise Ranking (Europe), 2009
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (Germany), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (United Kingdom), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (France), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (Italy), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (Benelux), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (Spain), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (Scandinavia), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (Rest of Europe), 2006-2016

LIST OF CHARTS

    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Tier Analysis (Europe), 2009
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: A Snapshot of the Major Trends in Switchgear Market (Europe), 2009
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Industry Challenges (Europe), 2010-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Market Drivers & Restraints (Europe), 2010-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Market Drivers Ranked in Order of Impact (Europe), 2010-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Market Restraints Ranked in Order of Impact (Europe), 2010-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (Europe), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Projection by Segment (Europe), 2010 and 2016
    High Voltage Switchgear Market: Percentage Share of Components (Europe), 2009
    Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Percentage Share of Components (Europe), 2009
    High Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for Total High Voltage Switchgear (Europe), 2006-2016
    High Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for Gas Insulated Switchgear (Europe), 2006-2016
    High Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for High Voltage Circuit Breaker (Europe), 2006-2016
    High Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for High Voltage Disconnector (Europe), 2006-2016
    Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for Total Medium Voltage Switchgear (Europe), 2006-2016
    Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for Metal Clad Switchgear (Europe), 2006-2016
    Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for Metal Enclosed Switchgear (Europe), 2006-2016
    Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts for Reclosers (Europe), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Porter’s Five Forces Analysis (Europe), 2009
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Industry Structure (Europe), 2009
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Tier Analysis by Installed Capacity (Europe), 2009
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Market Shares by Competitive Tier (Europe), 2009
    High Voltage Switchgear Market: Company Market Share by Revenues (Europe), 2009
    Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Company Market Share by Revenues (Europe), 2009
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: End-user Analysis (Europe), 2009
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Percent of Revenues by End User (Europe), 2009
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Country-wise Percentage Split (Europe), 2009
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (Germany), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (United Kingdom), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (France), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (Italy), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (Benelux), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (Spain), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (Scandinavia), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Revenue Forecasts (Rest of Europe), 2006-2016
    High and Medium Voltage Switchgear Market: Regional Snapshot (Europe), 2009