SPEL begins production at new 220 kV transformer plant in Tamil Nadu

Supreme Power Equipment Limited (SPEL) has commenced commercial production at its new transformer manufacturing facility in Kannur, Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu. The plant became operational on February 25, 2026.

The Kannur facility has an annual manufacturing capacity of 6,000 to 6,500 MVA. It will manufacture transformers rated up to 200 MVA and up to the 220 kV voltage class. With this addition, SPEL’s total transformer manufacturing capacity rises to around 9,000 MVA, compared to its earlier standalone capacity of 2,500 MVA at its existing Tamil Nadu plant. The older facility is operating at 70 to 80 per cent utilisation and caters to transformers up to the 110 kV segment.

The commissioning of the new unit enables SPEL to bid for higher-voltage and larger-capacity transformer orders that were previously beyond its manufacturing range. As per the company’s investor presentation, the Kannur plant will focus mainly on transformers in the 25 MVA to 160 MVA range. At full capacity, it is expected to generate annual revenue of approximately Rs 500 crore to Rs 550 crore.

The facility was set up with an investment of about Rs 100 crore. Funding was arranged through proceeds from the company’s initial public offering (IPO) in December 2023, along with internal accruals and funds raised through a preferential share issue.

As of February 9, 2026, SPEL’s outstanding order book stood at Rs 311.11 crore. Between February 9, 2026 and February 26, 2026, the company secured additional orders worth Rs 18.47 crore. These orders are for the supply of 20 MVA, 110/33/11 kV power transformers to an undisclosed engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company based in Karnataka.

SPEL was founded in 1994 as a partnership firm to supply transformers up to 500 KVA to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. A new management team assumed charge in 1996, upgrading design capabilities, testing infrastructure, and manufacturing capacity, which was expanded to 5,000 KVA, 33 kV class transformers. The company subsequently built a strong presence in the wind energy segment, supplying more than 1,800 transformers ranging from 315 KVA/11 kV to 2,250 KVA/33 kV for wind projects in India. Its wind sector clients have included international original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Vestas, Gamesa, and Winwind, alongside domestic players including Suzlon and Pioneer Group. SPEL was reconstituted as a private limited company in 2005 and progressively expanded its product range to cover power and distribution transformers up to 25 MVA/132 kV. The Kannur plant represents its most significant capacity step-up to date.

Photo: manufacturing facility of SPEL; Credit: SPEL