Sterlite Electric has appointed Jean Maxime Saugrain as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to strengthen its technology strategy, engineering capabilities and product innovation across power transmission and distribution. The appointment comes as the company looks to advance its portfolio of solutions for evolving electricity networks.
Saugrain brings nearly four decades of experience spanning power cables, overhead transmission lines, superconducting systems and optical fibre manufacturing. With more than 20 years in technical management and leadership roles, he will oversee the company’s technology initiatives, guide product development and support the deployment of advanced power transmission technologies.
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, he spent approximately 15 years at Alcatel, working in optical fibre research and development, industrialisation and manufacturing operations.
His technical experience includes the development and qualification of 320 kV and 525 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable systems, as well as advanced superconducting technologies for power grid applications.
Commenting on the appointment, Frederic Trefois, CEO of Sterlite Electric, said Saugrain’s 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 important assets in developing solutions for modern electricity networks.
Saugrain said evolving power networks are creating new requirements for performance, reliability and technological advancement. He added that his focus would be on strengthening the company’s technology capabilities, accelerating product development and translating engineering innovation into practical solutions that address customer needs.
Experience in Superconducting Cable Technologies
Saugrain has also contributed to major superconducting cable technology programmes, including the AmpaCity project in Essen, Germany, and a superconducting cable project for Commonwealth Edison in Chicago, United States. His professional experience includes leading collaborative research and development programmes supported by the European Union and the US Department of Energy.
He 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.
Focus on Advanced Power Transmission Solutions
The appointment comes as electricity networks face growing pressure to accommodate rising power demand, renewable energy integration and changing grid requirements. These developments are increasing the need for reliable transmission infrastructure, advanced cable technologies and improved system performance.
By bringing Saugrain into its technology leadership team, Sterlite Electric aims to strengthen its engineering expertise and accelerate the development of power transmission and distribution solutions. His experience in high-voltage systems, superconducting technologies and optical fibre manufacturing is expected to support the company’s efforts to address emerging requirements across the power sector.
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