Russia’s Premier International Exhibition for Electrical Equipment and Building Automation
For over three decades, the Elektro International Exhibition has stood as the largest and most influential trade event for the electrical industry in Russia and the CIS region. Organised annually at Crocus Expo in Moscow, Elektro brings together manufacturers, suppliers, engineers, and major consumers of electrical equipment under one roof. From power generation and transmission to lighting engineering and building automation, the exhibition covers the full spectrum of modern electrical technology.
A Legacy of Half a Century
Elektro has a rich history dating back to the early 1970s. The exhibition celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, marking half a century of serving as a key international networking platform for the electrical engineering sector. Over these five decades, Elektro has evolved from a domestic industry showcase into a major international event that attracts participants from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
The exhibition carries prestigious certifications including UFI (the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) and RUEF (the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs), reflecting its professional standards and global recognition.
Venue and Organisation
Elektro is held at Crocus Expo, a large exhibition complex located in Moscow. The venue offers modern pavilions capable of accommodating hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors. The exhibition is organised by EXPOCENTRE AO and runs under the auspices of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with support from the Russian Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The layout allows for clear segmentation of product categories, making it easy for visitors to navigate between different sectors of the industry.
Scale and Participation
The scale of Elektro has fluctuated over the years, reflecting broader economic and geopolitical conditions, but it has consistently remained the premier event of its kind in the region.
In the exhibition’s early 2010s peak, Elektro welcomed 458 exhibitors from 25 countries, including national pavilions from China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Spain, and India. The exhibition space exceeded 9,000 square metres, and professional attendance reached over 10,000 unique visitors.
More recently, following shifts in the international landscape, the exhibition has adapted while maintaining its core relevance. The 2025 edition featured 360 companies from 5 countries: Russia, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, and Turkiye. China and Turkiye organised national pavilions, demonstrating continued international interest in the Russian electrical market. Russian exhibitors numbered 200, including many of the country’s leading electrical equipment manufacturers.
The 2022 edition, which marked the 30th anniversary of the modern exhibition series, hosted 159 companies from 9 countries and attracted 7,139 unique visitors. While these numbers represent a contraction from pre-2014 levels, they underscore the exhibition’s resilience and its continued importance to industry professionals.
Product Sectors and Exhibits
Elektro covers an extensive range of product categories, reflecting the diversity of the electrical industry. The main sectors include:
Power Supply and Electrical Engineering: High-voltage and low-voltage equipment, transformers, switchgear, distribution boards, and complete substation solutions. Low-voltage switchgear is consistently one of the most widely represented product categories, with over 100 companies demonstrating such equipment at recent editions.
Lighting Engineering: Indoor and outdoor lighting solutions, industrial lighting, street lighting, emergency lighting systems, and LED technology. The exhibition introduced a dedicated industrial lighting sector in 2013 to address the rapidly growing Russian market for lighting products.
Cable and Wire Products: Power cables, control cables, fibre optic cables, wiring accessories, cable management systems, and installation tools. Major Russian cable manufacturers regularly participate alongside international suppliers.
Building Automation: Systems for automated building management, energy efficiency controls, smart home technology, and industrial automation. This sector has grown significantly in importance as energy conservation has become a priority for commercial and residential construction.
Metering and Control Devices: Electricity meters, measuring instruments, control equipment, and monitoring systems for industrial and utility applications.
Renewable Energy: Equipment for solar, wind, and small-scale hydro power generation, as well as energy storage solutions. A dedicated conference on renewable and small-power energy has been a recurring feature of the exhibition programme.
Regional Participation and Government Support
One distinctive feature of Elektro is the strong representation of Russian regions. The exhibition regularly features group stands organised by regional development agencies and business support centres. In 2022, for example, group pavilions were presented by the Chuvash Republic, the Republic of Tatarstan, and the Irkutsk, Kaluga, and Vladimir Oblasts.
These regional stands provide smaller manufacturers with an opportunity to reach a national audience without bearing the full cost of individual exhibition space. They also reflect the Russian government’s commitment to supporting domestic electrical equipment production as part of broader industrial development and import substitution strategies.
Conference Programme and Business Events
Elektro is not merely a display of products; it is a forum for industry dialogue. The exhibition features an extensive conference programme that runs alongside the show floor. The programme is typically structured around themed days, each focusing on a different stakeholder group.
Manufacturer Day opens the programme with sessions dedicated to production challenges, technological innovation, and market trends. Topics have included the dynamics of import substitution, anti-crisis solutions for Russian manufacturers, and intellectual property protection for electrical products.
Customer Day brings together major consumers of electrical equipment. Companies such as Gazprom, Inter RAO, Rosseti, Russian Railways, and other state-owned enterprises participate in purchasing centres, where they hold direct negotiations with manufacturers and suppliers. Presentations on procurement plans and consultations on bidding procedures help suppliers understand the requirements of these large customers.
Engineer Day focuses on technical professionals. Activities have included test drives of electrical computer-aided design software, hands-on quests with installation tools and products, and technical sessions on digital design and building information modelling. Master classes on assembling electrical panels, stripping and crimping cables, and programming control systems provide practical learning opportunities.
The Purchasing Centre and ElectroMarathon
One of the most valuable features of Elektro for business development is the Purchasing Centre, held during Customer Day. This structured networking event connects electrical equipment manufacturers directly with procurement representatives from major state-owned and private companies. Suppliers can present their products, discuss technical specifications, and explore opportunities to become approved vendors.
The ElectroMarathon, a speed-dating format for customer-supplier meetings, has also proven popular. These brief, focused conversations allow multiple business connections to be made in a short period, maximising the efficiency of participation for both buyers and sellers.
Focus on Import Substitution
A recurring theme at recent editions of Elektro has been import substitution. Following the imposition of international sanctions, Russian electrical equipment manufacturers have faced challenges in sourcing components and technologies previously obtained from Western suppliers. The exhibition has become a platform for discussing and demonstrating solutions to these challenges.
Manufacturer Day sessions have addressed questions such as how to “weather the storm” of bans and restrictions, how to accelerate investment in domestic production, and how to increase manufacturing capacity in the new economic environment. Experts have expressed confidence that Russian companies are capable of operating independently in the domestic electrical market, with expectations of achieving significant import substitution within two to five years.
The “Switch to Ours” trend zone has featured demonstrations of alternatives for previously imported electrical products, helping engineers and procurement specialists identify suitable domestic replacements.
ElektroPark and Innovation
Since 2013, Elektro has included a special section called ElektroPark, designed to promote innovation and support the development of new electrical products. This zone provides a platform for smaller companies, start-ups, and individual developers to present their ideas to a wider audience. Over 50 companies have participated in ElektroPark in some editions, showcasing cutting-edge developments that might otherwise remain unknown.
The Partner Zone
The 2025 edition introduced a dedicated Partner Zone located in the heart of the exhibition. This area is designed to highlight key industry players and facilitate high-level networking. DKC, a major Russian manufacturer of electrical products, cable support systems, automation equipment, and lightning protection systems, served as the general partner. The company manufactures over 40,000 items, with more than 90 per cent produced in Russia.
Systeme Electric, a Russian manufacturer offering integrated solutions in electric power and industrial automation, was the strategic partner. The company provides clients with a unified technological ecosystem based on Russian software.
Awards and Recognition
Elektro features several award programmes that recognise excellence among exhibitors and customers. The ElektroReklama competition, held on Manufacturer Day, acknowledges companies that demonstrate high competencies not only in their industry but also in marketing communications and brand promotion. Strong performance in this competition signals that a company has successfully integrated promotional excellence with technical achievement.
The Purchasing Leader. Elektro Awards recognise the best customers of electrical equipment presented at the show. Winners receive gifts and certificates, celebrating the partnerships that drive the industry forward.
Workforce Development and Job Fair
Recognising the importance of human capital to the electrical industry, recent editions of Elektro have included a job fair format called “Job Guide.” This HR solutions business zone allows participating companies to conduct interviews with potential candidates, while HR experts hold master classes on recruitment, retention, and workforce development in the electrical sector.
This focus on personnel issues reflects a broader awareness within the industry that technological sovereignty depends not only on machines and materials but also on skilled engineers, technicians, and managers.
Looking Ahead
Elektro continues to adapt to the evolving needs of the electrical industry. The exhibition’s organisers have demonstrated a commitment to maintaining its relevance through changing economic and geopolitical conditions. Future editions are likely to place even greater emphasis on domestic manufacturing capabilities, digitalisation of electrical systems, and integration with Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
The exhibition’s enduring value lies in its ability to bring together the entire electrical industry ecosystem. For manufacturers, Elektro offers access to major customers and insights into market trends. For buyers, it provides a comprehensive overview of available products and technologies. For engineers, it delivers technical knowledge and professional development opportunities. And for the industry as a whole, Elektro serves as a barometer of health, a catalyst for innovation, and a celebration of electrical engineering excellence.
As Russia continues to modernise its power infrastructure, expand its industrial base, and develop its urban environment, the demand for advanced electrical equipment will only grow. Elektro, now in its sixth decade, remains the essential meeting point for those who produce, supply, and use that equipment. Every spring in Moscow, the electrical industry comes together at Crocus Expo, and for four days, the future of power is on display.
