These 16 very critical items include subsea cables, certain permanent magnets, aluminium zinc coated steel sheets, HVDC valve assemblies, modular type ethernet switches and lighting arrester
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The Power Ministry has identified 16 very critical items, such as subsea cables and certain specialised coated steel sheets, which are imported at present, to create a domestic manufacturing roadmap for achieving self-sufficiency.
The list has been prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), in consultation with the Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA) and industry players such as ABB, Hyosung, Polycab, Dong-Woo Quantum India, Sterlite, Schneider and Toshiba.
The CEA has sought comments from stakeholders such as IEEMA by December 29, 2025. Overall, the CEA has identified 73 critical items. However, it has prioritised 16 items for “immediate attention” primarily due to their high import dependency and criticality for the power sector.
These 16 very critical items include subsea cables, certain permanent magnets, aluminium zinc coated steel sheets, HVDC valve assemblies, modular type ethernet switches and lighting arrester.
Besides, the remaining 57 items, although recognised as critical, require further detailed and quantified inputs from domestic or international manufacturers interested in exploring manufacturing opportunities in India.
The items in the second list include printed circuit boards assembly, electrolytic capacitors, certain surge arresters, certain semiconductor devices, super capacitor, specialized magnetic core materials and converter transformers.
“These items are currently imported due to technology gaps, limited domestic manufacturing capabilities, or economies- of-scale challenges,” the CEA said.
Such information is essential to accurately assess the total financial implications and formulate a comprehensive item-wise localisation strategy based on criticality, feasibility, and industry readiness, it added.
“This initiative has become essential in the current scenario, as the power sector relies heavily on imported advanced components, making it vulnerable to global supply-chain risks and price volatility,” the authority emphasised.
Atmanirbhar Bharat vision
Localising these items supports the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by boosting domestic manufacturing, reducing forex outflow, and strengthening grid resilience and energy security.
“A realistic, industry-backed assessment is essential for preparing a financially sound proposal for the Ministry of Power,” the Authority added.
Many voices in the industry have highlighted the need to create a list and roadmap for power sector materials. This, they emphasise, will serve as the basis for targeted policy interventions, industry-academia collaborations, public-private partnerships and appropriate incentive structures such as production-linked incentives, capital subsidies and public procurement support.
At present, many components or systems used in thermal power plants are being imported. Large steam turbine components, such as high pressure and intermediate pressure rotor forgings are being imported.
Besides, there is no indigenous supplier for electrohydraulic actuators for HP/ IP turbine valves, servo valves for turbine control valves and generator terminal bushing.
Published on December 14, 2025
