Established in 1891, NKT is a global pioneer in the field of cables with a complete product range that spans low, medium, high and extra high voltage cables, as well as cable accessories. NKT has been in India for over a decade and is engaged in supplying cable accessories up to 550kV. In this exchange, Parth Bhatt, Regional Sales Manager – South Asia, NKT, gives an overview of NKT’s activities in India whilst discussing the company’s future plans for the subcontinent.
Let us start by understanding what activities NKT is currently undertaking in India.
NKT is present in India for more than a decade, supporting India’s T&D sector by supplying reliable and world-class engineered cable accessories up to 550kV.
It is currently represented by NKT South Asia P/L established in 2019 to be closer to Indian customers, catering to ‘Accessories Business’ and based in Gurugram, NCR.
Further in 2021, it established NKT Operations India P/L based in Chennai (now with a team in Mumbai also) leveraging large talent pool that India has to offer. It is a Global Competency Centre mainly for engineering, supply-chain and R&D activities with an engineering talent pool of near 180.
Specifically, does NKT manufacture cable in India as yet? Are there any medium to long term plans to this effect?
No. NKT does not manufacture cables in India but works closely with major Indian cable manufacturers for projects not just in India but worldwide.
NKT is working on meeting cable accessories demands through localization and other value added services.
What are the various cable accessories that NKT currently supplies to India?
NKT supplies MV, HV and EHV cable accessories. The medium voltage cable accessories include indoor/outdoor terminations & joints; separable connectors up to 2,500A, GIS plug-in termination, and busbar systems to OEMs.
High-voltage and extra high voltage (EHV) cable accessories would include: oil-filled outdoor terminations up to 550kV, dry type outdoor termination up to 245kV, explosion proof oil filled outdoor terminations up to 300kV, GIS terminations up to 550kV, single-piece joints up to 245kV, and three-piece joints up to 550kV
Tell us more about the 400kV cable system in Tamil Nadu where NKT was majorly involved? Please discuss NKT’s role in this project.
State power utility TANTRANSCO, a technology adopter, pioneered India’s first utility scale 400kV underground cable system project.
NKT and Universal Cables Ltd jointly won the project with NKT 400kV Cable technology support and supply of EHV cable accessories. NKT Accessories with Universal Cables successfully completed type-tests for 400kV cable systems in CPRI, India – a first in India. Project is under execution and expected to complete in the next few months.
What are the various cable accessories that NKT supplies to submarine EHV cables for offshore wind farms? Do you expect demand for such projects arising in India in the coming years?
In the past decade the company has successfully implemented around 50 offshore wind and submarine cable projects which underlines NKT’s position as a key player in subsea cable industry.
NKT is keen to participate in off-shore wind projects contemplated in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
Tell us about NKT’s cable connectors, especially for the renewable energy segment. Given that India is focusing sharply on renewable energy projects how do you see the emerging demand?
NKT is a major player in ‘Green Transition’ and is working with major utilities worldwide. NKT accessories have played a major role in the success of various renewable energy projects implemented, solar and wind. It has the range and variety to cater to all requirements of renewable energy industry.
How do you see the prospects for underground EHV cabling in India, especially 220kV and above, and how is NKT geared up to meet the demand?
It is clearly visible that demand of underground cable system (245kV AC and above as well as HVDC) throughout India for next few decades is clearly growing due to increasing demand of power, urbanization, infrastructure growth, increasing land cost and RoW issues, with strong commitment from Central and state governments.
With reference to how NKT is geared up, let me quote our global CEO Mr Alexander Kara during NKT’s 130 years celebrations in Chennai on June 22, 2022.
“I am very excited to be in Chennai to meet Danish Ambassador, His Excellency Freddy Svane, the Hon Vice Consul, SB Prabhakar Rao, and all the Indian NKT colleagues. NKT has ambitions to continue to grow our presence in India by expanding our talent base who can contribute to our purpose of connecting a greener world. By building competencies and presence in the region, NKT will support India with power cable solutions for future renewable energy projects such as offshore wind”.
