PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1888372
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1888372
Overhead wires and cables are electrical conductors installed above the ground on poles or towers to transmit and distribute electricity or communication signals over long distances. They are widely used in power transmission, telecommunications, railway electrification, and other infrastructure systems.
The main types of overhead wires and cables include power cables, hybrid cables, and communication cables. Power cables are durable electrical conductors designed for efficient transmission and distribution of electric power from generation plants to substations and end users. These cables are made from materials such as metals and polymers and are available in various voltage ranges, including low, medium, high, and extra-high voltage. Overhead wires and cables are utilized across several end-use industries, including aerospace and defense, construction, information technology (IT) and telecommunications, power transmission and distribution, oil and gas, consumer electronics, manufacturing, automotive, and others.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The rapid rise in U.S. tariffs and the subsequent trade frictions in spring 2025 are having a major impact on the electrical and electronics sector, with semiconductors, display panels, and rare-earth metals (essential for batteries and motors) subject to steep duties. Consumer electronics brands face profit erosion, as competitive markets limit their ability to pass costs to buyers. Industrial electronics manufacturers, meanwhile, grapple with delayed projects due to shortages of tariff-impacted components like printed circuit boards. Companies are responding by relocating assembly to tariff-exempt countries, increasing inventory buffers, and redesigning products to reduce dependency on restricted materials.
The overhead wires and cables market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides overhead wires and cables market statistics, including the overhead wires and cables industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the overhead wires and cables market share, detailed overhead wires and cables market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the overhead wires and cables industry. This overhead wires and cables market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The overhead wires and cable market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $164.26 billion in 2024 to $176.54 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing urbanization, expansion of power distribution networks, rising industrialization, government investment in grid infrastructure, and growing rural electrification initiatives.
The overhead wires and cable market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $232.49 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising integration of renewable energy, modernization of aging power infrastructure, increasing electricity demand in emerging economies, expansion of smart grid initiatives, and growing investments in sustainable transmission systems. Key trends in the forecast period include adoption of advanced conductor materials, transition toward high-voltage transmission systems, focus on enhancing grid resilience, development of lightweight and durable cable designs, and integration of digital monitoring technologies.
The increasing investments in renewable energy infrastructure are expected to drive the growth of the overhead wires and cables market in the coming years. Renewable energy infrastructure involves the development of solar, wind, and other clean energy generation facilities, along with the transmission networks required to efficiently deliver this energy to end users. The rise in these investments is fueled by the global focus on carbon reduction and sustainable energy adoption, necessitating the expansion of transmission and distribution systems to accommodate growing renewable power capacities. Overhead wires and cables play a key role in supporting these initiatives by ensuring reliable and efficient electricity transmission from renewable generation sites to consumption centers, minimizing energy loss and maintaining grid stability. For instance, in February 2025, according to the World Resources Institute, a US-based nonprofit organization, the United States installed approximately 39.6 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity in 2024, surpassing the previous record of 27.4 GW set in 2023. Therefore, the increasing investments in renewable energy infrastructure are fueling the growth of the overhead wires and cables market.
Major companies operating in the overhead wires and cables market are focusing on advancing innovative low-carbon solutions, such as low-carbon aluminum conductors, to promote efficient, sustainable, and high-capacity power transmission through the use of advanced materials and energy-efficient manufacturing processes. Low-carbon aluminum conductors are overhead wires and cables made using aluminum produced with hydropower energy and recycled steel, significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional conductors while maintaining high conductivity, mechanical strength, and thermal performance. For instance, in February 2025, Prysmian Group, an Italy-based telecom and energy cable producer, launched Low-Carbon TransPowr Conductors to enhance sustainability and efficiency in overhead power transmission lines. These conductors are manufactured using low-carbon aluminum produced with hydropower energy and recycled steel, resulting in substantially lower CO2 emissions than traditional conductors. They deliver high conductivity and mechanical strength for optimal power transmission efficiency, with durability and reliability under extreme environmental conditions, supporting long-term performance and grid stability.
In July 2024, Prysmian S.p.A., an Italy-based cabling solutions provider, acquired Encore Wire Corporation for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Encore Wire gained access to Prysmian's extensive global presence, advanced technological capabilities, and strong customer network, enabling accelerated growth, improved product offerings, and expansion in the North American overhead wires and cables market. Encore Wire Corporation is a US-based manufacturer of copper and aluminum electrical wires and cables.
Major players in the overhead wires and cables market are Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd., Prysmian S.p.A., Southwire Company LLC, Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd., Nexans S.A., LS Cable & System Ltd., NKT A/S, Far East Cable Co. Ltd., Polycab India Ltd., Havells India Ltd., KEI Industries Ltd., Hellenic Cables S.A., Finolex Cables Ltd., Houston Wire & Cable Company, Ravin Group, Zhengzhou Cable Co. Ltd., Lexco Cable Mfg., Trefinasa, Bergen Cable Technology Inc., and Victor Wire & Cable.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the overhead wires and cables market in 2024. The regions covered in overhead wires and cables report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the overhead wires and cables market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The overhead wires and cables market consists of sales of power transmission cables, insulated wires, and vibration dampers. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Overhead Wires And Cables Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on overhead wires and cables market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for overhead wires and cables ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The overhead wires and cables market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.