Anti Dumping Duty Could Raise Transformer Costs

01 Jul 2026 CW Team

The specialised electrical steel is used in the magnetic core of every power and distribution transformer and it minimises energy losses, making it essential for efficient transmission and distribution. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that annual CRGO consumption is estimated at 400,000-450,000 tonnes (t) and domestic production is only 40,000-50,000 t. GTRI highlighted that nearly 90 per cent of requirements are imported, mainly from China, Japan, South Korea and Russia.

GTRI noted that demand for CRGO is likely to rise as India plans to invest Rs nine point one five trillion (tn) to expand its power grid by 2032, adding 191,000 circuit kilometres of transmission lines and more than doubling transformer capacity to 2,342 Gigavolt-Amperes (GVA). The organisation said that with domestic output meeting less than one-tenth of demand, higher duties could raise prices without materially reducing import dependence. That scenario could slow investments in transmission infrastructure, renewable-energy integration and electricity distribution.

The body said that CRGO imports are already subject to mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards certification, which suggests the investigation centres on pricing rather than product quality. GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said that higher duties could therefore increase transformer costs and impede the country's ambitious grid expansion plans. JSW JFE Nashik's acquisition of a domestic grain-oriented electrical steel facility in Nashik was noted as a step to build capacity, but the gap between demand and production remains substantial.

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

India's commerce ministry arm has opened an anti-dumping probe into imports of cold-rolled grain-oriented electrical steel (CRGO) and amorphous metals from China, Japan, South Korea and Russia following a complaint by JSW JFE Electrical Steel Nashik. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies initiated the investigation on June 22, 2026, covering imports from April one, 2025, to March 31, 2026, and an injury analysis for 2022-23 to 2024-25. Industry observers said any move to impose anti-dumping duties could increase costs for transformer manufacturers and complicate supply chains. The specialised electrical steel is used in the magnetic core of every power and distribution transformer and it minimises energy losses, making it essential for efficient transmission and distribution. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that annual CRGO consumption is estimated at 400,000-450,000 tonnes (t) and domestic production is only 40,000-50,000 t. GTRI highlighted that nearly 90 per cent of requirements are imported, mainly from China, Japan, South Korea and Russia. GTRI noted that demand for CRGO is likely to rise as India plans to invest Rs nine point one five trillion (tn) to expand its power grid by 2032, adding 191,000 circuit kilometres of transmission lines and more than doubling transformer capacity to 2,342 Gigavolt-Amperes (GVA). The organisation said that with domestic output meeting less than one-tenth of demand, higher duties could raise prices without materially reducing import dependence. That scenario could slow investments in transmission infrastructure, renewable-energy integration and electricity distribution. The body said that CRGO imports are already subject to mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards certification, which suggests the investigation centres on pricing rather than product quality. GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said that higher duties could therefore increase transformer costs and impede the country's ambitious grid expansion plans. JSW JFE Nashik's acquisition of a domestic grain-oriented electrical steel facility in Nashik was noted as a step to build capacity, but the gap between demand and production remains substantial.

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jul 2026

Nagaland Signs MoU With T-Works To Boost MSMEs

Nagaland marked Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Day by launching Naturally Nagaland and signing an MoU with T-Works to bolster the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Advisor Hekani Jakhalu launched the initiative at the Industries & Commerce directorate in Kohima and the MoU was signed by the director of Industries and Commerce and the chief executive officer of T-Works. The agreement is intended to strengthen innovation, product development and prototyping support across the state. Jakhalu said 52,801 enterprises were registered on Udyam as of June 25, 2026, about 4,000 more than three mo..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jul 2026

Tiruchy MSME Engineering Units Seek Revival Package

The Tamil Nadu Boilers Association has urged the state chief minister to announce a comprehensive revival package for stressed micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) engineering units, citing years of recession, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, mounting debt burdens and delayed payments from customers. In a letter sent last week the association sought a range of measures to reboot local industry and restore employment and production levels. It said the proposal aimed to bring closed units back into operation and to ease financial bottlenecks that have constrained growth. The measures r..

Infrastructure Energy

01 Jul 2026

Delhi And Tehran Explore Energy Cooperation As US Sanctions Ease

India and Iran have agreed to explore cooperation in the oil and gas sector after a temporary US sanctions waiver opened access for Iranian crude to global markets. The understanding was reached on the sidelines of the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting in Gurugram where officials discussed bilateral engagement. The talks were framed as part of efforts to strengthen energy ties and address security concerns. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri met his Iranian counterpart Mohsen Paknejad and conveyed that India remained committed to enhancing energy security throug..