US demand to reach $20.6 billion in 2011

US demand for electric transmission and distribution equipment is forecast to increase 3.7 percent annually (including price increases) to $20.6 billion in 2011. Gains will be supported by an improved outlook for nonresidential fixed investment and a rebound in electric utility capital spending. In addition, continued increases in electric generation, by electric utilities and especially by independent power producers, will support demand for transmission and distribution equipment to more efficiently transport that power to the customer. Preventing even faster increases will be the slowdown in construction spending, particularly in the residential segment.

Electric meters to be fastest growing products

Among product types, the best opportunities will be in meters, driven by the continued expansion of distributed power generation and net metering. Net metering requires more advanced meter products that can measure electricity flow both from the grid and back to the grid when local generation (e.g. by solar panels on a home’s roof) exceeds power consumption.

Switchgear, transformers to remain dominant types

Despite the rapid increases expected in meters, switchgear and transformers will remain by far the largest product categories in the electric transmission and distribution industry. Both of these major categories will also grow more rapidly than in the 2001 to 2006 period. Switchgear demand increases will be driven by solid growth in industrial construction and nonresidential fixed investment activity, while transformer demand will benefit from both the rebound in electric utility construction activity and strong gains in nonresidential fixed investment.

Utility, industrial nonutility generator markets to offer best growth opportunities

The fastest growth is expected in the government and institutional market, which will benefit from continued strength in military spending and institutional construction expenditures. However, of greater importance to manufacturers of electric transmission and distribution equipment, will be the improved outlook for both the electric utility, and industrial and nonutility generator markets. Together these two markets accounted for more than 80 percent of total demand and stronger growth in both these markets will underpin the improved outlook for the electric transmission and distribution industry.

The industrial and nonutility generator market will benefit from both healthy increases in nonresidential fixed investment and increased power production by independent power producers and cogeneration operations in industrial facilities. Furthermore, increasing bulk power purchases, and electricity monitoring and control by industrial firms will support gains.

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