The Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers Association (IEEMA) expects 4 to 5 per cent growth this financial year over $25 billion logged in 2014-15.

The apex association, which represents more than 800 manufacturers in the electrical, industrial electronics and power-related sectors, foresees demand accelerating over the next few years.

Cheaper imports Aaditya Dhoot, Organising Committee Chairman of Elecrama, told Business Line that the growth could have been much higher but for the cheaper imports flooding the Indian market from China. Expressing concern over imports, he said buyers need to realise that they have to spend more on the maintenance of such equipment.

Elecrama, a flagship event of IEEMA since 1990, will be held in Bangalore from February 13 to 17, where a concurrent meeting of World Electricity Forum will also be held. The meeting will offer an opportunity to interact with some of the global leaders in the sector.

The event is expected to see participation of more than 1,000 delegates from over 100 countries, apart from over one lakh visitors. More than 600 buyers are expected at the event, Dhoot said.

10-year plan Dhoot said that a 10-year perspective plan has been charted out which aims to take the industry business size past the $100-billion mark by 2022. With the Centre seeking to push the Make in India initiative, this has the potential to accelerate further.

Sunil Mishra, Director General of IEEMA, said, “India is at the cusp of a major leap in economic growth. It is essential that we overcome the challenges in power sector too. IEEMA can help in mitigating losses and bringing in technological innovations.”

Highlighting the importance of strengthening the transmission and distribution network in the power sector, Dhoot said it is estimated that the losses in the power sector transmission are estimated to be over ₹70,000 crore and closer to ₹1 lakh crore a year. By addressing the losses, the amount saved could be redeployed into the transmission system, he said.

Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal and several other ministers are expected to take part in the event supported by the ministries of power, heavy Industries, external affairs and commerce.