Australia And New Zealand Medium Voltage Switchgear Market - Size, Share Outlook, Growth Analysis Report and Forecast Trends (2026-2035)

Market Overview

The Australia and New Zealand medium voltage switchgear market is driven by an accelerating grid transition, ageing asset replacement, and rising connection of solar, wind, and battery projects. Distribution network operators such as Ausgrid and Powerlink, alongside New Zealand's Transpower and Vector, are investing to expand capacity, improve reliability, and integrate renewable energy zones, each of which lifts demand for medium voltage switchgear at substations, feeders, and industrial sites.

Three forces are shaping the market: the phase-down of sulphur hexafluoride and the move to eco-efficient switchgear, the buildout of data-centre and electrification load, and sustained utility spending on distribution renewal. Global electrical equipment majors supply the bulk of hardware, while local specialists provide assembly, integration, and after-sales support tailored to network standards in both countries.

In March 2026, Hitachi Energy was awarded a contract by ElectraNet to deploy SF6-free EconiQ switchgear in South Australia, one of the first transmission-level adoptions of the technology in the country. The move reflects a broader shift among utilities toward eco-efficient insulation and points to sustained procurement of both distribution and transmission switchgear through the forecast period.

Key Market Trends and Insights

• Eco-efficient switchgear shift: Utilities are moving to SF6-free and low-global-warming designs, with ElectraNet and Ausgrid adopting eco-efficient gas and solid-insulated equipment to cut network emissions.
• Renewable energy zones: Grid connection of solar, wind, and battery projects in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria is expanding substation and feeder switchgear demand.
• Data-centre load growth: Rapid data-centre and electrification demand is lifting requirements for compact, high-reliability medium voltage switchgear at new sites.
• New Zealand grid strengthening: Transpower's grid transformation investment is adding substation and reactive-power equipment to support rising electricity demand.
• Distribution asset renewal: Replacement of ageing switchgear on established networks sustains a steady baseline of equipment procurement independent of new connections.

Australia And New Zealand Medium Voltage Switchgear Market Size and Forecast

The Australia and New Zealand medium voltage switchgear market is moving from asset renewal into grid transformation, and its value scales steadily across the forecast period as renewable energy zone connections and distribution renewal advance. Air-insulated switchgear remains the largest insulation type by installed base, reflecting its cost advantage across utility and industrial networks, while gas-insulated switchgear and the Queensland market set the fastest pace of growth. Committed grid renewal and the transition to eco-efficient, SF6-free designs underpin a durable, multi-year demand outlook rather than a cyclical uplift.

Key Takeaways: Australia And New Zealand Medium Voltage Switchgear Market

Grid Renewal and Renewable Connections Anchor Steady Growth

The market stands at AUD 618.30 million in 2025 and is on track to reach AUD 1,160.63 million by 2035 at a 6.5% CAGR. Growth is anchored by distribution asset renewal and the connection of renewable energy zones across both countries, which convert grid investment plans into sustained switchgear procurement. Suppliers can secure long-term demand by aligning products with utility renewal programmes and renewable connection standards.

Air-Insulated Leads Volume While Gas-Insulated Grows Fastest

Air-insulated switchgear accounts for the largest installed base, reflecting its lower cost and wide use across established networks, while gas-insulated switchgear records the highest growth as space-constrained urban substations and eco-efficient designs gain ground. Suppliers can capture value by offering both cost-competitive air-insulated ranges for depth of coverage and compact gas-insulated units, including SF6-free variants suited to emissions-sensitive utilities and space-constrained urban substations across the two countries.

SF6 Phase-Down Signals Long-Term Equipment Renewal

The shift away from sulphur hexafluoride toward eco-efficient insulation, seen in ElectraNet and Ausgrid adoptions, points to a durable pipeline of switchgear replacement and new installation. Companies can expand share by developing SF6-free and low-global-warming designs that meet utility decarbonisation targets and network connection requirements, and by pairing that hardware with local assembly and service to win renewal and new-build work in Australia and New Zealand.

• Renewable energy zone connections and distribution renewal drive steady switchgear demand across both countries
• Gas-insulated switchgear is the fastest-growing insulation type as urban and eco-efficient installations expand
• The 2026 ElectraNet SF6-free EconiQ adoption signals a transmission-level shift toward eco-efficient switchgear

Australia And New Zealand Medium Voltage Switchgear Market Report Summary

Key Insight

The report summary reflects a steadily expanding market moving from asset renewal to grid transformation. The market's steady expansion is driven by renewable connections and distribution renewal rather than a single project. Air-insulated switchgear holds the dominant installed base by volume, while gas-insulated switchgear and the Queensland market record the fastest growth, tying expansion to eco-efficient designs and renewable energy zone buildout.

Key Trends in the Australia And New Zealand Medium Voltage Switchgear Market

The Australia and New Zealand medium voltage switchgear market is being shaped by eco-efficient equipment adoption, renewable energy zone connections, and grid strengthening in both countries. The following dated trends, presented from the most recent, show how policy, load growth, and technology are driving equipment demand.

March 2026- Eco-Efficient Switchgear Reaches the Transmission Grid

• ElectraNet selected SF6-free EconiQ switchgear from Hitachi Energy for a South Australian transmission deployment.
• The move extends the phase-down of sulphur hexafluoride from distribution into transmission-level equipment.
• Suppliers can align portfolios with utility decarbonisation targets by offering proven SF6-free ranges.

November 2025- Renewable Energy Zones Lift Substation Equipment Demand

• Powerlink reported that Queensland led the nation for grid connections as renewable energy zones advanced.
• New solar, wind, and battery connections require additional medium voltage switchgear at substations and feeders.
• Equipment makers can win share by matching products to renewable connection and network standards.

November 2025- SF6-Free Primary Switchgear Reaches the Regional Market

• Schneider Electric introduced its GM AirSeT primary switchgear, which uses pure air in place of sulphur hexafluoride as the insulating medium.
• The sealed-tank design removes on-site gas handling and enables condition-based maintenance across utility and industrial sites.
• Distributors and industrial buyers can shortlist proven SF6-free primary switchgear as F-gas phase-down expectations tighten across both countries.

May 2025- New Zealand Reinforces Its Grid for Rising Demand

• Transpower advanced its grid transformation programme with new substation and reactive-power equipment near Auckland.
• Reinforcement supports electricity demand projected to rise sharply through 2050.
• Switchgear suppliers with reliable, grid-compliant hardware are well placed to serve New Zealand renewal projects.

Key Insight

These trends point to a market whose growth is structurally supported rather than cyclical. Eco-efficient switchgear adoption converts decarbonisation policy into equipment renewal, renewable energy zones lift substation and feeder demand, and New Zealand grid reinforcement adds a parallel pipeline. Together they make medium voltage switchgear a resilient, investment-backed category through the forecast period across Australia and New Zealand.

Recent Market Developments in the Australia And New Zealand Medium Voltage Switchgear Market

Recent developments, presented from the most recent, show the market advancing on eco-efficient equipment, renewable connections, and grid reinforcement as network investment accelerates in both countries.

March 2026- Hitachi Energy to Supply SF6-Free Switchgear to ElectraNet

• Hitachi Energy was awarded a contract to deploy SF6-free EconiQ switchgear for ElectraNet in South Australia.
• The order included multiple eco-efficient circuit breaker units for transmission substations.
• The deal signals sustained procurement of eco-efficient switchgear across Australian networks.

November 2025- Queensland Leads National Grid Connections

• Powerlink reported Queensland topped the states for new grid connections as renewable projects progressed.
• Rising connection volumes lifted demand for medium voltage switchgear at new and expanded substations.
• Suppliers with connection-ready equipment are better placed to fulfil renewable energy zone projects.

July 2025- NOJA Power Launches RC-20 Recloser Control for Distribution Grids

• Brisbane-based NOJA Power released its RC-20 recloser control for medium voltage distribution networks, adding synchrophasor measurement to smart-grid reclosers.
• The technology was deployed across 100 installations in Queensland and Victoria under an Australian Renewable Energy Agency programme.
• Local manufacturing of intelligent medium voltage switchgear strengthens supply resilience and renewable hosting capacity across the network.

May 2025- Transpower Advances Its Grid Transformation Programme

• Transpower progressed the second stage of its grid transformation investment with equipment near Auckland.
• The stage added reactive-power and substation hardware to support voltage stability and long transmission lines.
• Demand rose for reliable substation switchgear suited to New Zealand's growing electricity load.

Key Insight

The 2025 to 2026 developments show demand being shaped by grid investment and decarbonisation rather than short-lived campaigns. Eco-efficient switchgear orders and faster renewable connections lift equipment volumes, New Zealand grid reinforcement widens the addressable base, and early SF6-free adoptions stabilise the shift to low-global-warming designs. Together they reinforce durable demand for reliable medium voltage switchgear across Australia and New Zealand.

Australia And New Zealand Medium Voltage Switchgear Industry Segmentation

The Expert Market Research's report on the Australia And New Zealand Medium Voltage Switchgear Market offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments.

Market Breakup by Insulation Type

• Gas-Insulated Switchgear
• Air-Insulated Switchgear
• Solid and Hybrid-Insulated Switchgear
• Others

Air-insulated switchgear accounts for the largest share of the installed base, as it offers lower cost and simpler maintenance across established distribution networks. Gas-insulated switchgear is the fastest-growing insulation type, favoured in space-constrained urban substations and emissions-sensitive sites as utilities move toward compact, increasingly SF6-free designs. Solid and hybrid-insulated switchgear serves niche applications where a balance of footprint and sustainability is required.

Market Breakup by Installation

• Indoor
• Outdoor

Outdoor installation holds the leading share, reflecting the predominance of pole- and pad-mounted switchgear across utility distribution feeders and rural networks. Indoor installation is growing faster, driven by compact gas-insulated units in urban substations, data centres, and industrial plants where space and environmental protection are priorities.

Market Breakup by End User

• Power Utilities
• Industrial
• Commercial and Infrastructure
• Others

Power utilities are the largest end user, underpinned by distribution renewal and renewable energy zone connections across both countries. Commercial and infrastructure demand is the fastest-growing segment, lifted by data-centre power buildouts and the electrification of transport and buildings, while industrial users sustain steady demand from mining, manufacturing, and processing sites.

Market Breakup by Region

• Australia
• New Zealand

Australia holds the dominant share, supported by its larger grid, extensive distribution networks, and renewable energy zone build-out across the National Electricity Market. New Zealand contributes a smaller but steadily growing share, anchored by Transpower's grid transformation programme and rising electricity demand.

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Purchase the Regional Overview for USD 1099

If you choose to purchase the full report at a later stage, the amount already paid will be adjusted, and you will only need to pay the remaining balance.

Competitive Landscape in the Australia And New Zealand Medium Voltage Switchgear Market

The market combines global electrical equipment majors with local specialists and utility suppliers. Reliability, eco-efficient insulation, grid compliance, and service networks matter as much as price, and suppliers that pair proven hardware with local assembly and support are best placed across Australia and New Zealand.

ABB Ltd.

ABB is a global electrification and automation company that supplies air-insulated, gas-insulated, and solid-insulated medium voltage switchgear to utilities, industry, and infrastructure across Australia and New Zealand. Its portfolio includes eco-efficient, SF6-free ranges, and it supports networks with local engineering, service partners, and connection expertise for distribution and industrial projects.

Schneider Electric SE

Schneider Electric provides medium voltage switchgear and integrated energy management systems for utility, commercial, and industrial applications in both countries. It has partnered with Ausgrid on SF6-free substation solutions, and its ranges combine compact designs with digital monitoring, appealing to network operators pursuing decarbonisation and reliability across their distribution and industrial assets.

Siemens AG

Siemens supplies gas-insulated and air-insulated medium voltage switchgear, including eco-efficient blue designs that avoid sulphur hexafluoride. Ausgrid deployed Siemens blue gas-insulated switchgear as one of the first such installations in Australia, and the company backs its hardware with digital grid technology and local service across Australia and New Zealand networks.

NHP Electrical Engineering Products Pty Ltd

NHP is an Australian and New Zealand specialist in electrical and automation products that supplies, assembles, and supports medium voltage switchgear for utility, industrial, and infrastructure customers. Its local presence, panel-building capability, and after-sales service make it a key channel for delivering switchgear tailored to regional network standards and connection requirements.

Other key players in the Australia and New Zealand medium voltage switchgear market include Eaton Corporation plc, Hitachi Energy Ltd., GE Vernova Inc., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.

Key Insight

Competition centres on reliability, eco-efficient insulation, and grid compliance rather than price alone. Global majors such as ABB, Schneider Electric, and Siemens compete across air-insulated and gas-insulated ranges, local specialist NHP anchors regional assembly and support, and suppliers such as Hitachi Energy shape demand through transmission and eco-efficient equipment orders. Companies with reliable, SF6-free hardware, local service, and connection expertise are best placed in a market defined by grid renewal and decarbonisation.