Indian firms eye SA power sector
April 11, 2013, 10:28 am

Indian companies participated in the areas of electrical equipment, power generation, transmission lines and parts and renewable energy [AP]

The Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers’ Association, led a delegation to the two-day 15th Power & Electricity World Africa 2013 expo that ended in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Indian companies were out in force at as they tried to boost the annual $2.5 billion exports to the African continent.

“The market in South Africa has been dominated by European players, but now Indian companies are also getting a foothold because a lot of our members have gained approval from the South African Bureau of Standards with certification to international standards,” said Sanjeev Sardana, chairman of the Indian electrical association.

Expoconsult India and Confederation of Indian Industry ( CII) with the support of the ministry of commerce and industry arranged the Indian Pavilion at the expo.

Thirty nine Indian companies participated in the areas of electrical equipment, power generation, transmission lines and parts and renewable energy.

Sardana said of the $4.5 billion exported from the power sector by India each year, $2.5 billion was to Africa.

“There is great interest from our members to come to Africa not only to sell their products but also to find technology partners where they can talk about doing technology transfer,” Sardana added.

“Africa spends about $93 billion a year on power sector reforms, about 50 per cent of this in transmission and distribution, which is what we are all primarily here for.”

Sardana said his organisation was confident of success in South Africa, setting a target of achieving at least five per cent of the global share by 2020.

Source: Agencies