Impressive invention: Medium-voltage switchgear wins Tran Dai Nghia award

In power transmission and distribution systems, medium-voltage switchgear is an essential device which is responsible for switching, control, and protection functions to ensure the stable and safe operation of the entire electrical network.

Masteringcoretechnology toelevate Vietnameseswitchgear tointernationalstandards

Previously, most of these devices in Vietnam were imported from major industrial corporations such as Siemens, ABB, and Schneider. This dependence on foreign suppliers resulted in high costs, long delivery times, difficult maintenance, and potential safety risks to the system.

Research Team Behind the "Development and production of medium-voltage switchgear" project: Mr. Phạm Đình Thắng – Chairman of the Board and General Director of ACIT (center), Mr. Doan Ky Ba – Deputy General Director (left), and Mr. Bui Van Dam – Head of Energy Division (right).

Amid a significant market gap, a Vietnamese private enterprise made the bold decision to take the lead. Asia Industrial Technology Joint Stock Company (ACIT), under the leadership of Chairman and General Director Pham Dinh Thang, initiated the project titled “Research and development of medium-voltage switchgear”, marking a turning point for the domestic electrical equipment industry.

“This is the result of a persistent research and development journey, during which we mastered core technologies and created electrical products that meet international standards — certified by KEMA in the Netherlands,” Mr. Thang stated.

The project focuses on two core product lines: 24kV and 40.5kV medium-voltage switchgear, strictly adhering to IEC 62271-200 - the international standard for safety and performance of switchgear in medium-voltage power networks.

All product testing was conducted at KEMA Laboratories (Netherlands), one of the world’s top three certification centers in the electrical industry. Successfully passing rigorous tests, including short-circuit current withstand, power-frequency voltage, lightning impulse voltage, and gas-tightness, not only proves the product's quality but also affirms ACIT’s capability to master core technologies and to design and manufacture equipment that meets global standards.

ACIT-branded medium-voltage switchgear.

ACIT’s medium-voltage switchgear is now present in thousands of projects across the country from 110kV substations, solar and wind power plants to industrial zones, urban developments, hospitals, and schools. The products stand out not only for their competitive pricing, fast delivery, and responsive after-sales service, but also for contributing to a fully localized supply chain that supports the growth of Vietnam’s domestic supporting industries.

In recognition of these achievements, the project was awarded the 2025 TranDai Nghia Award - a prestigious national prize honoring applied science and technology projects with clear socio-economic impact. Previously, the switchgear was also recognized as one of Hanoi’s Key Industrial Products (in 2020 and 2023), and selected for the Vietnam National Brand Program in 2024.

Mastering technology: a prerequisite for progress

In his speech at the award ceremony, Mr. Pham Dinh Thang spoke little about himself. Instead, he devoted most of his time to emphasizing the development journey of ACIT — the company he founded in 2006, which has since grown to become one of Vietnam’s leading manufacturers of electrical equipment.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung visits ACIT's award-winning project

“I began with a simple question: why can’t Vietnamese people make their own medium-voltage switchgear that meets international standards, instead of relying endlessly on imports? No one asked me to take on that challenge. But I believed that if no one did it, we would always be left behind. Mastering technology is a necessity if we aim for sustainable development,” he shared.

That belief did not come from impulse. It was built over nearly 20 years of working in the electrical equipment industry, witnessing firsthand the consequences of overreliance on foreign technology. ACIT started as a small and medium-sized enterprise, but with a long-term strategy focused on investing in people, research, and technology, the company has steadily grown into a major player.

To date, ACIT has grown into one of the leading private enterprises in Vietnam in the fields of electrical equipment manufacturing, automation, and renewable energy. The company operates four large-scale factories equipped with modern production lines and Industry 4.0 technologies, generating an annual production value of approximately 2,000 billion VND and creating jobs for 1,000 workers. ACIT also established its own Institute of Technology and Applications to develop and apply innovations directly within its factories.

In addition to manufacturing electrical equipment, ACIT is actively investing in renewable energy, a field that Mr. Thang refers to as “an investment for the future.” Two solar power plants in Ninh Thuan (225 MW) have already been connected to the national grid, producing over 420 million kWh per year. By the third quarter of 2025, the Quang Tri wind power plant (40 MW) is expected to begin operation, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day.

“The Tran Dai Nghia Award is a great honor for our research team and all employees of ACIT. It will serve as a powerful motivation for us to stay committed to our journey of integrating knowledge, technology, and the Vietnamese spirit for a strong and prosperous Vietnam,” he expressed.

Pham Dinh Thang shared that in 2025, ACIT is determined to manufacture 24kV and 40.5kV RMU medium-voltage switchgear with over 80% locally sourced components. These products will be produced on modern, internationally standardized production lines, capable of directly competing with global brands in the Vietnamese market.

This is not only a commitment to quality but also a reflection of the Vietnamese aspiration for self-reliance, self-strengthening, and technological mastery.

“As a private enterprise born from the spirit of innovation, ACIT will continue to act in line with the direction set by the newly issued Resolution No. 68 of the Politburo on developing the private sector into a key driving force of the national economy,” he shared.