ELECRAMA-2012 took off to a flying start on July 2011, in splendid ELECRAMA style. IEEMA and the ELECRAMA-2012 organizing committee held a curtain raiser preview of ELECRAMA-2012 on 20th July 2011 The Curtain raiser event was a high profile event attended by leading luminaries of the Indian Power sector including chiefs of key Indian Utilities, regulatory bodies and allied institutions representing and reflecting the breadth and strength of the Indian Power Sector

While unveiling the curtain raiser, Mr. P Uma Shankar said "The government is looking at revenue estimates of US$ 56 billion from transmission and US $ 91 billion from distribution in addition to US $ 147 billion from generation totaling US $ 294 billion in revenue from the Power Sector. To achieve this, the Power Ministry is seriously working on a blue print factoring three key areas: transmission, distribution and HR."

He said that "ELECRAMA-2012 is turning out to be a perfect platform for the Ministry of Power, its stakeholders and suppliers. ELECRAMA will basically help India showcase its capabilities and it is the best platform to share knowledge and information." He further added that the target is to add 75,000 MW generating capacity during 12th Plan period. There are a lot of opportunities - we really have to ramp up then distribution segment particularly the financial side.

In her inaugural speech Mrs. Indra Prem Menon, Chairperson, ELECRAMA-2012, said: "We are glad to present ELECRAMA-2012 to India and to the world. Over 200 transformer manufacturers, 300 global conductor manufacturers and 200 control and system manufacturers and 41 delegations from 130 countries have signed up for ELECRAMA- 2012. This year, the Power Ministry is providing critical support to ELECRAMA and we are expecting huge inward investments."

She further said that the Government is aware that the Indian power sector today needs to replicate what has been achieved during the last 50 years in the next 10 years in order to reach the target of 'Power for all by 2012'. Government's emphasis on the transmission and distribution sector reforms and investments are showing signs of fruition, thus creating a phenomenal growth opportunity for the Indian Power sector. She also acknowledged the support of The Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises for ELECRAMA-2012.

Mr. Vimal Mahendru, President, IEEMA said, "IEEMA has been promoting the 'Made in India' brand in overseas through participation in exhibitions and conferences. We promote bilateral relations with all alliances and also through ministerial and secretarial delegations to various countries. Besides that, IEEMA also organizes various global conferences and industry specific events like ELECRAMA. We have had the privilege of interacting with Regulators, Service Providers and the Industrialists in the past couple of years. Through ELECRAMA, we want to ensure that all constituents come together and make a difference."

He further said, "IEEMA had been recently invited by the Department of Heavy Industries to assist in developing the Electrical Industry Mission Plan, which will be the guiding document for various stakeholder Ministries, Regulators and the Planning Commission for the coming ten years. Our per capita electricity availability has almost doubled from approximately 400 Kilo Watt Hours in 2003 to approximately 734 Kilo Watt Hours today. By any stretch, this can be considered commendable progress. And yet, we are well below global average. Issues like these, including renewables and SMARTGRID will be further discussed and leveraged at ELECRAMA-2012."

Mr. B P Rao, CMD, BHEL and Brand Ambassador of ELECRAMA-2012 said, "When India is emerging as a big player and making a mark for itself in this market, it is only natural for us that we showcase our capability in whichever platform is there. ELECRAMA over a period of time has gathered its momentum and the last two or three ELECRAMAs that I have seen, there is a sea change in participation of number of exhibitors, number of participants and visitors to the exhibition. If India has to grow at 8 to 9 per cent, the electrical equipment, the electricity sector, power sector has to happen at that rate, if not more than that. We have a very good market and naturally all eyes are on this market and at the same time, the industry here has gathered its momentum and has reached world class levels. I take this opportunity to congratulate IEEMA for organizing this event and I wish ELECRAMA-2012 is a big success".

Mr. Anto Budiardjo, President & CEO, Clasma Events Inc., USA, and Dr. George Arnold, National Co-ordinator for Smart Grid Interoperability spoke through video-link on GridWeek Asia, being organized concurrently with ELECRAMA-2012.

Mr. Ramesh Chandak, Vice President, IEEMA proposed the vote of thanks and invited all the guests at the event to visit ELECRAMA-2012 in Mumbai in January 2012.

This curtain raiser apprised the audience of the great opportunity that ELECRAMA-2012 offered in terms of technology, knowledge and pure networking. This event would set the engagement platform with the Indian Utilities, Public Sector enterprises, Planning bodies, Ministries and allied organizations to encourage interaction and ensure presence of a high power delegation from the key constituents of the Industry in ELECRAMA-2012.

Similar event to engage diplomatic channels and global trade bodies based in the country is envisaged in the month of October.