Sterlite Electric, a manufacturer of capital goods and provider of system integration solutions, has announced the appointment of Jean Maxime Saugrain as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The appointment is aimed at strengthening the company’s technology strategy, product development and engineering capabilities as it expands its portfolio of solutions for evolving power transmission and distribution networks.
Saugrain brings nearly four decades of experience across power cables, overhead transmission lines, superconducting systems and optical fiber manufacturing, including more than 20 years in technical management and leadership roles. In his new position, he will oversee Sterlite Electric’s technology initiatives, drive product innovation and support the development of advanced solutions to address changing requirements in the power sector.
Before joining Sterlite Electric, Saugrain held senior technical leadership positions at Nexans, where he contributed to the development and industrialisation of advanced power transmission technologies. Earlier in his career, he spent approximately 15 years at Alcatel, working across optical fiber research and development, industrialisation and manufacturing operations.
Throughout his career, Saugrain has been involved in the development and qualification of 320 kV and 525 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable systems, alongside advanced superconducting technologies designed for power grid applications.
Commenting on the appointment, Frederic Trefois, CEO of Sterlite Electric, said Saugrain’s extensive technical expertise and experience in developing and industrialising advanced power technologies would strengthen the company’s engineering and innovation capabilities. He highlighted Saugrain’s knowledge of high-voltage systems, materials science and optical technologies as valuable to the company’s efforts to develop solutions for modern power networks.
Saugrain said that rapidly evolving electricity networks are creating new requirements for performance, reliability and technological advancement. He expressed his commitment to strengthening Sterlite Electric’s technology capabilities, accelerating product development and translating engineering innovation into practical solutions that meet customer requirements.
His professional experience also includes participation in major superconducting cable technology programmes, including the AmpaCity project in Essen, Germany, and a superconducting cable project for Commonwealth Edison in Chicago, United States. Additionally, he has led collaborative research and development programmes supported by the European Union and the US Department of Energy.
Saugrain holds an engineering degree from École Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles in Paris and a postgraduate degree in Materials Sciences from Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris.
The appointment comes as power transmission and distribution networks undergo technological transformation driven by increasing electricity demand, renewable energy integration and the need for more efficient and reliable grid infrastructure. With Saugrain leading its technology function, Sterlite Electric aims to enhance its engineering capabilities and accelerate the development of advanced power transmission and distribution solutions.
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