If servers are the "brain" for computing in data centers, then power distribution switchgear is the "heart and blood vessels" that deliver power to this brain. In 2026, with the explosive growth of AI computing power demand, this power infrastructure market is entering a restructuring phase driven by both technological upgrades and retrofits of existing facilities. This article will provide a panoramic analysis of the market size evolution, competitive landscape, and strategic layout of leading domestic enterprises in China's data center power distribution switchgear market.
01. Dominance of Low Voltage, Supplemented by Medium Voltage
In the long run, China's data center power distribution switchgear market presents a clear differentiated pattern of "low voltage as the mainstay, supplemented by medium voltage," with a huge gap between the two in terms of market size, growth potential, and layout value. According to MIR Consulting's report data, low-voltage switchgear consistently and stably accounts for about 75% of the data center power distribution switchgear share, serving as indispensable core equipment in the data center power distribution system. In contrast, although medium-voltage switchgear has a smaller market size, only about one-third of the low-voltage market, its position is equally indispensable. Medium-voltage switchgear is mainly used for external power access and internal main power distribution stations in data center parks, representing a rigid demand for large-scale park supporting facilities.
In terms of growth rate, the demand for medium- and low-voltage switchgear shows a highly bound relationship—the growth rhythms of the two are almost completely synchronized. However, benefiting from the dual dividends of the OEM model and high-density AI computing centers, the absolute growth space of the low-voltage market is significantly better than that of the medium-voltage market. This also means that in the future, manufacturers' product layouts will prioritize low-voltage intelligent modularization, while medium-voltage will be operated more as a synergistic business for large-scale park supporting facilities.
It can be seen from the data statistics in the above chart that the growth of the data center power distribution switchgear market presents distinct three-stage characteristics, with the focus of growth continuously shifting with industry iteration. From 2021 to 2024, the industry was in a period of steady growth. Benefiting from the normalized construction of general data centers and government/enterprise computer rooms, market demand was steadily released, and the overall development pace of the industry was steady. In 2025, relying on the comprehensive explosion of the AI computing power industry and the concentrated landing of high-density AI computing centers, the industry ushered in the peak of high-speed growth in this cycle, with new market demand concentrated release. From 2026 to 2028, the industry will officially enter the era of stock competition, with the overall growth rate gradually falling back to 20%. At that time, the dividends of new construction will fade, and the iteration of existing computer room equipment, energy-saving retrofits, and intelligent upgrades will replace new demand, becoming the core source of incremental growth in the industry.
02. Foreign Brands Leading, Domestic Brands Catching Up
Currently, the domestic data center medium- and low-voltage switchgear market has a high concentration. High-end core scenarios have long been monopolized by leading foreign brands, which have built competitive moats relying on technological barriers, project experience, and brand premiums. However, with the acceleration of domestic technology iteration and the prominence of localized service advantages, leading domestic manufacturers are gaining a firm foothold in the mid-end market and gradually penetrating into high-end scenarios.
According to MIR Consulting's report data, the top three players in the low-voltage switchgear market in 2025 are Schneider, Chint, and ABB, with their combined share approaching 45%. The premium capability of foreign manufacturers in high-end scenarios is particularly prominent. In scenarios with extreme reliability requirements, such as core computer rooms of banks, securities firms, and telecom operators, as well as foreign-owned AI computing centers, foreign brands rely on the combination of "highly reliable integrated power distribution solutions + complete DCIM supporting software," achieving a single-unit premium of 20% to 30%, thus building a solid profit moat.
The medium-voltage switchgear market has even higher barriers. The top three in 2025 are Schneider, ABB, and Vertiv, all foreign brands, with a combined share of about 44%. Medium-voltage products have high technical thresholds and long certification cycles. Moreover, customers are mostly large-scale park EPC general contractors, and the decision-making chain focuses on engineering experience and long-term stable performance. These factors together constitute obstacles that latecomers find difficult to overcome in the short term.
Although foreign brands still hold the advantage, the offensive of domestic leaders has become very clear. In recent years, Chint has listed data centers as a strategic track. On the product side, it has deepened joint R&D with Huawei, launching a 1U high-density switching power supply cabinet to meet the miniaturization and intelligent needs of AI computing centers. On the customer side, it has penetrated digital infrastructure, collaborated with the telecom operator ecosystem, and provided a full range of power distribution solutions. Overseas, it has won benchmark projects such as Microsoft and Temasek, laid out data center and industrial park supporting facilities in North America, and achieved initial success in globalization. Its core strategy is "domestic basic market + joint R&D + new overseas growth pole." Starting from a complete medium- and low-voltage matrix, it provides integrated support for data centers from green power development to power supply and distribution system construction.
Daqo Group has taken a path of cross-boundary breakthrough.Daqo Kfine, under Daqo Group, focuses on high- and low-voltage complete switchgear. Its products cover switchgears and box-type substations of 40.5kV and below, which are widely used in data centers, new energy, and other fields. The main busbar of the BLOKSET intelligent low-voltage switchgear reaches 6300A, meeting high-density power distribution needs; its medium-voltage layout includes KYN28-12 digital switchgear and intelligent medium-voltage cabinets. The intelligent workshop in Yangzhong, Zhenjiang, produces over 3,000 molded case circuit breakers daily and nearly 10,000 air circuit breakers monthly, demonstrating outstanding manufacturing capabilities. Daqo's core competitiveness lies in the synergy of the entire industrial chain—from components to complete equipment and then to system solutions. Technological synergy, cost control, and supply chain resilience form a comprehensive moat, and its products have been exported overseas in batches.
03. Where is the Next Major Opportunity in the AI Industry Chain?
Looking back from the midpoint of 2026, the impact of AI on the data center industry continues to deepen. However, the market's focus is shifting from "how much has been built" to "how well it is built"—the energy efficiency ratio, O&M efficiency, and industry chain synergy capabilities of AI computing centers are replacing pure construction scale as the new dimensions of industry competition.
The penetration rate of liquid-cooled servers continues to rise, the pace of innovation in high-density power distribution solutions is constantly accelerating, and the evolution path of cooling technology from air cooling to liquid cooling and even hybrid cooling is becoming increasingly clear. These changes mean that every segmented link in the data center industry chain is breeding new market opportunities.
To help industry peers grasp these trends more deeply, MIR Consulting will hold the "2026 H2 Emerging Market Deep Analysis Online Seminar" on August 5, 2026, sharing the theme content of "Insights into Sustainable Development and Industry Changes in the Upstream and Downstream of the AI Industry Chain". All industry peers are welcome to pay attention and participate!