Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) Market

The Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) Market is valued at USD 31 Bn in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 50.1 Bn, growing at a CAGR of 7% by 2033.

Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) Market Outlook

Global Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) Market Shows Positive Outlook

A substation is a vital element of power system infrastructure. It transforms high electrical voltage to low or vice versa. It comprises the assembly of numerous power transmission and distribution systems. Presently there are two types of substations primarily being used: Air insulated substation (AIS) and gas insulated substation (GIS).

The gas insulated substation (GIS) is a compact assembly consisting of multiple components enclosed into a metallic covering with compressed sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas as an insulating medium. The substation is a combination of circuit breaker, spring mechanism, disconnector, earthing switch, current transformer, voltage transformer, busbar and load control cubicle used to control transmission and distribution of electric power. 

Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) Market Wins with Low Operational Costs and Compact Design

The key driver for the global gas insulated substation market is the environment-friendly nature of SF6 used in the transformer, which can be easily recycled. Also, GIS systems take up less space than air insulated substation (AIS). The compact design of gas insulated substation allows the best utilization of space and offers the most efficient and economical solutions to the customers. It can be easily installed in densely populated urban areas where land is limited and available at prohibitive costs. The physical footprint of a GIS is about 35% less than AIS. The compact design of GIS ensures easy and economical mobility of substations to the load centres thereby reducing transmission and distribution losses.

High capital costs related to GIS, when compared to AIS, are restraining the growth of GIS in developing countries. Also, cooling systems used for GIS are similar in principle to those used for oil insulated substation (OIS). The transformer used in gas insulated substations requires more elaborate cooling arrangements than oil filled substation transformers due to the lower thermal mass of SF6.  

The power sector is the primary engine of the global economy, thus, generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity to all other sectors. A greater part of labour and products rely upon it. Coronavirus pandemic-based lockdown measures/conventions have altogether decreased power interest in the business and mechanical areas. The International Energy Agency (IEA) gauges that worldwide power requests diminished by 2.5% in Q1 2020. Many organizations across various areas universally have stopped or diminished capital consumptions, where conceivable, and the force area is no exemption. Non-basic ventures have been suspended all through the area-from age to transmission to circulation. This has hampered interest in GIS facilities.

Lower Capital Expenditure to Boost Demand for Indoor Gas Insulated Substation

The global gas insulated substation market can be segmented based on component, voltage, and end-user. In terms of component, the market has been bifurcated into: indoor and outdoor. In terms of voltage, the market has been segregated into: medium (≤ 72.5 KV) and high (> 72.5 KV). By end-user, the market has been divided into: utility and non-utility.

The indoor segment dominated the global gas insulated substation market in 2019. GIS is equally applicable for indoor and outdoor use for new and expansion of existing sub-stations. The GIS is manufactured over a wide range of voltages from 60 kV to 800 kV and capacity up to 4,000 amperes depending upon requirements in various designs suited to the particular requirements. In places where the cost of land or the cost of earthwork is high, indoor setup can greatly influence the overall investment needed in the global gas insulated substation market.

Asia Pacific to Remain the Most Promising Region for GIS Installations

Asia Pacific remains the most attractive region for the gas insulated substation (GIS) market. The growing need for safe and secure electricity generation, transmission, and distribution in India and China is expected to drive the market for GIS in the next few years. Toshiba is one of the key players in Asia Pacific. On 1st September 2020, India Grid Trust (“IndiGrid”) completed the acquired GPTL transmission project from Sterlite Power at US$ 150 Mn. GPTL consists of 3 GIS of 3,000 MVA capacity and ~270 ckms of 400 KV transmission lines spread across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

Next is Europe, followed closely by North America. North America is home to numerous suppliers/distributors/ manufacturers of key components used in of GIS network. Companies such as GE operating in the U.S., are rapidly expanding their product portfolio by offering different capacity-based GIS solutions for industrial and utility markets outside North America. Several companies headquartered in the U.S., including GE are targeting potential markets such as Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America in order to acquire more market share.

Global Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) Market: Competitive Landscape

Key players involved in the global gas insulated substation (GIS) market are:

• Siemens AG
• Toshiba Corporation
• Eaton Corporation
• ABB Ltd.
• GE
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
• Hyundai Heavy Industries
• Nissin Electric Co., Ltd.
• LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED
• Hitachi, Ltd.

The Global Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) Market is Segmented as Below:

By Voltage Coverage

• Medium (≤ 72.5 KV)
• High (> 72.5 KV)

By Type Coverage

• Indoor
• Outdoor

By End-use Coverage

• Utility
• Non-utility

By Geographical Coverage

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Rest of the World (RoW)