China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Electrical substations that use digital sensors and fibre links in place of copper wiring for protection and control. Utilities and grid operators buy them.
Typical segments
- Process bus systems
- Protection relays
- Merging units
- Substation automation software
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 137% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €249.7 million of products under CN code 85372099 (Boards, cabinets and similar combinations of apparatus for electric control or the) from outside the EU in 2025. | 249.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 85372099 were up 137% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€105.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +137 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 85372099 to countries outside the EU were worth €834.4 million in 2025. | 834.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 85372099 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €152.4 million in 2025. | 152.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 85372099 to the EU in 2025, with €88.4 million, or 35% of extra-EU imports. | 88.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 85372099 to the United States were €97.0 million in 2025. | 97.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 85372099 was €25.92 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 25.92 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Netherlands was the largest EU exporter of CN 85372099 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €350.7 million. | 350.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 6,600 enterprises in NACE class C2712 (Manufacture of electricity distribution and control apparatus) in 2023. | 6,600 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2712 had net turnover of €110.00 billion in 2023. | 110.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2712 employed 400,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 400,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 839 private establishments in NAICS 335313 (Switchgear and switchboard apparatus manufacturing) in 2025. | 839 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 335313 employed an average of 48,990 people in US private industry in 2025. | 48,990 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 335313 changed by +45% between 2020 (33,709 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +45 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 335313 was $93,684 in 2025. | 93,684 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85372099, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 249723382
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85372099, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 105580273; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 249723382
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85372099, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 834430823
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85372099, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 152350806
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85372099, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 88434660
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85372099, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 97039201
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 85372099, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 249723382, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 96351
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter NL, product 85372099, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 350719935
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2712, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 6600
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2712, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 110000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2712, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 400000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 335313, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335313, annual_avg_estabs 839
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335313, annual_avg_emplvl 48990
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 33709; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 48990
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335313, avg_annual_pay 93684
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Electric utilities
- Grid operators
- Industrial plants
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU digital substation market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €249.7 million of goods under CN 85372099 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €834.4 million.
Where does the EU import digital substation from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Switzerland, Morocco, Norway.
What is the average import price of digital substation in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €25.92 per kilogram for CN 85372099 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most digital substation?
Netherlands led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Spain.
How many US companies are in the digital substation industry?
BLS counts 839 private establishments in NAICS 335313 (Switchgear and switchboard apparatus manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the digital substation industry?
Eurostat counts 6,600 enterprises in NACE class C2712 (Manufacture of electricity distribution and control apparatus).
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