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BoldMinds
Three questions for Muhammad Tufail: How 765 kV is reshaping America's energy infrastructure
The US energy grid is going through a fundamental transformation – driven by renewable integration, the rise of data centers, and electrification, utilities are rethinking how power is generated and moved. At the center of that shift is the ultra-high voltage 765 kV transmission technology, delivering massive power over long distances with minimal losses.
Muhammad Tufail is at the center of this transformation every day. He has been at Trench Group for almost 15 years. As Regional Sales Manager for Instrument Transformers and Air Core Reactors, he supports high-voltage transmission projects across the northeastern United States – with a particular focus on 765 kV applications.
We sat down with Muhammad to learn more about his position, what makes Trench stand out in this space, and what motivates him every single day.
What is your role at Trench Group?
The center point of my role is connecting what customers need technically with the solutions we can provide. I work closely with our internal engineering and project management teams to develop answers that are not only technically sound, but aligned with each customer’s long-term grid strategy.
Utilities across the US are no longer simply upgrading their infrastructure, they are fundamentally rethinking how power is generated and distributed. 765 kV transmission has become the backbone of this shift. However, what still surprises customers most is how mature the solution already is. The initial reaction is always cautious: high voltage, complex systems, perceived risk. But once they see Trench’s global track record, hesitation turns into confidence.
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What is special about working at Trench Group?
Working for a company with over 100 years of history in the grid – across Bushings, Instrument Transformers, and Air Core Reactors – carries a certain weight. A chip on your shoulder, in the best sense. For 765 kV specifically, our proven expertise sets us apart. We’ve delivered 765 kV solutions across the globe for decades, including early projects right here in the US.
Our new HSP manufacturing facility in Charlotte, NC adds another dimension. Having a bushing factory on home soil means shorter lead times and major supply-chain risks off the table. The quality is identical to what customers know from Germany.
What gets you excited to start your day at Trench Group?
It’s a combination of impact, variety, and continuous learning. Every project carries real purpose. We are not just delivering equipment. We are playing a meaningful role in shaping the next generation of US energy infrastructure.
One moment when this truly clicked for me was during a customer discussion where numbers became concrete: Going from six lines at 345 kV to a single line at 765 kV, which means fewer transmission corridors, less land to acquire, more power moved efficiently over long distances. With data centers today consuming the same amount of power as entire cities, this is no longer a future scenario. It is an urgent present reality.