Hitachi Energy, ABB and Schneider: Grid Rivals in a Seller's MarketNarrow moat

GE Vernova (GEV) — moat facet

GE Vernova competes with six named grid rivals, and it bought Prolec GE's factories so that lead times would not decide the contest.

The grid business competes in the most crowded field of the three segments. The 10-K lists Hitachi Energy, Siemens Energy, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Mitsubishi Electric and ABB1. Several of them also make transformers, switchgear and high-voltage links, the products that make up GE Vernova's Grid Solutions.

Grid business, 2025 ($M)19,300Electrification orders9,642Electrification revenueGE Vernova Q4 2025 results release and Form 10-K FY2025
Orders twice the revenue.

For now the crowding has not mattered, because demand has outrun everyone's factories. GE Vernova's Electrification orders were $19.3 billion in 20252, about twice the segment's revenue3, and the segment's EBITDA margin rose to 18.4% in the second quarter of 20264.

The competitive answer GE Vernova chose was to buy capacity rather than fight for it. The $5,254 million purchase of the rest of Prolec GE5 brought seven factories and about 10,000 employees into the segment6. A rival that cannot deliver a transformer in time loses the order; owning the plant is how GE Vernova avoids being that rival.

The difference from gas is the installed base. Electrification services were $2,263 million in 2025 against $7,378 million of equipment7, so the grid business depends on winning new equipment orders more than on servicing old ones.

The grid business is also where the 10-K sees new kinds of competition. With demand exceeding capacity, the company says, "we face growing competition from emerging threats"8, a warning that applies with most force where the product list overlaps with six large incumbents.

The Electrification backlog shows how much work the segment has secured against these rivals: $34,667 million at the end of 2025, from $8,971 million three years earlier910. Customers placing orders years ahead are, for now, choosing to wait for GE Vernova rather than switch.

Electrification orders are the gauge. They were $19.3 billion in 2025; if they fall while the rivals keep reporting growth, the six named competitors will be taking the grid orders GE Vernova cannot build in time.

Moat trajectory: Widening

Electrification orders $19.3bn in 2025; margin 18.4% in Q2 2026.

The number that tests this moat
Reported
Electrification orders, full year
$19.3bn (2025)

The grid business's share of a crowded market; a fall while rivals grow would mean customers are going elsewhere.

Source: GE Vernova Q4 2025 results release ↗
References
  1. ReportedThe 10-K lists Hitachi Energy, Siemens Energy, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Mitsubishi Electric and ABB.
    GE Vernova Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Item 1 business: products, installed base, competitors and employees. — FY2025 · publ. 29 January 2026 · source ↗
  2. ReportedGE Vernova's Electrification orders were $19.3 billion in 2025, about twice the segment's revenue, and the segment's EBITDA margin rose to 18.4% in the second quarter of 2026.
    GE Vernova fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results release (Form 8-K exhibit) - orders, free cash flow, capital returns, credit upgrades, the gas turbine backlog and the outlook through 2028 including Prolec GE. — Q4 2025 · publ. 28 January 2026 · source ↗
  3. Moat Explorer calcGE Vernova's Electrification orders were $19.3 billion in 2025, about twice the segment's revenue, and the segment's EBITDA margin rose to 18.4% in the second quarter of 2026.
    Moat Explorer calculation from GE Vernova's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, the Form 10 information statement, results releases and market data ($ millions unless stated). Equipment gross profit = sales of equipment less cost of equipment: 18,831 - 18,654 = 177 (2021, 0.9%); 15,819 - 16,972 = -1,153 (2022, -7.3%); 18,258 - 18,705 = -447 (2023, -2.4%); 18,952 - 17,989 = 963 (2024, 5.1%); 20,934 - 18,759 = 2,175 (2025, 10.4%). Services gross profit: 14,175 - 9,407 = 4,768 (2021, 33.6%); 13,835 - 9,224 = 4,611 (2022, 33.3%); 14,981 - 9,716 = 5,265 (2023, 35.1%); 15,983 - 10,861 = 5,122 (2024, 32.0%); 17,134 - 11,774 = 5,360 (2025, 31.3%). Services share of gross profit 5,360 / 7,535 = 71.1% (2025); 5,122 / 6,085 = 84.2% (2024); 5,265 / 4,818 = 109% (2023). Services share of revenue 17,134 / 38,068 = 45.0%. Power services share of Power revenue 13,081 / 19,767 = 66.2%. Gas Power share of revenue 16,006 / 38,068 = 42.0%. Gas turbines under long-term service agreements 1,800 / 7,000 = 26%; onshore wind turbines under service agreements 24,000 / 59,000 = 41%. RPO: services share 85,993 / 150,238 = 57.2%; services RPO growth 85,993 / 75,976 - 1 = 13.2%; equipment RPO growth 64,245 / 43,047 - 1 = 49.2%; total RPO growth 150,238 / 119,023 - 1 = 26.2%; Power share of RPO at 30 June 2026 111,649 / 176,284 = 63.3%; Power equipment RPO 24,707 / 12,461 = 1.98 times; 39,261 / 24,707 - 1 = 59%. Electrification RPO 34,667 / 8,971 = 3.9 times (2022-2025); 34,667 / 9,642 = 3.6 years of 2025 segment revenue. Services RPO beyond 15 years 100% - 91% = 9%. Gas turbine backlog plus slot reservations at 30 June 2026 53 + 63 = 116 GW; 116 / 20 GW a year = 5.8 years of output. Gas turbine orders 173 / 112 - 1 = 54% (units), 29.8 / 20.2 - 1 = 48% (GW). Operating cash flow less the increase in contract liabilities 4,987 - 8,019 = -3,032 (2025). Net cash = cash less borrowings: 8,848 - 289 = 8,559 (31 Dec 2025); 13,120 - 2,849 = 10,271 (30 June 2026). Contract liabilities / equity attributable 39,944 / 11,957 = 3.3 times; contract liabilities less cash 39,944 - 13,120 = 26,824. Geography 2025: US 17,341 / 38,068 = 45.6%; US growth 17,341 / 12,467 - 1 = 39.1% (2023-2025); US share of pre-tax income 78 / 2,828 = 2.8%. Wind segment EBITDA 2021-2025 176 - 1,710 - 1,033 - 588 - 598 = -3,753; Offshore Wind contract losses 637 + 1,005 + 379 = 2,021 (2023-2025); Offshore Wind revenue 652 / 1,377 - 1 = -52.7%; Wind orders in units 854 / 2,290 - 1 = -62.7% (2023-2025); Wind revenue 9,110 / 9,701 - 1 = -6.1%; H1 2026 Wind EBITDA margin -657 / 3,459 = -19.0%. Power share of 2025 segment EBITDA 2,902 / (2,902 - 598 + 1,433) = 77.7%. Segment revenue growth 2025: Power 19,767 / 18,127 - 1 = 9.0%; Electrification 9,642 / 7,550 - 1 = 27.7%; revenue 38,068 / 34,935 - 1 = 9.0%. Growth 2021-2025 a year: Electrification (9,642 / 5,292)^(1/4) - 1 = 16.2%; Power (19,767 / 16,729)^(1/4) - 1 = 4.3%; Electrification 2023-2025 9,642 / 6,378 - 1 = 51.2%. Grid Solutions 6,620 / 3,226 - 1 = 105% (2021-2025); Nuclear Power 1,018 / 699 - 1 = 45.6% (2022-2025); Steam Power 1,937 / 3,270 - 1 = -40.8% (2021-2025). Electrification segment assets 21,000 / 9,017 = 2.3 times. Return on invested capital: invested capital = total assets less current liabilities less cash: 63,016 - 40,972 - 8,848 = 13,196 (2025); 51,485 - 31,685 - 8,205 = 11,595 (2024); average 12,395.5. NOPAT at an assumed 21% tax rate on operating income 1,388 x 0.79 = 1,096.5, ROIC 1,096.5 / 12,395.5 = 8.8% (2025); 2024 on year-end capital 471 x 0.79 / 11,595 = 3.2%. Adjusted basis: (adjusted EBITDA 3,196 - depreciation and amortization 847) x 0.79 = 1,855.7, / 12,395.5 = 15.0%. Capex / revenue 1,277 / 38,068 = 3.4%; capex growth 1,277 / 744 - 1 = 72% (2023-2025). 2025 capital returns 275 + 3,316 = 3,591. Average 2025 buyback price 3,316 / 8.2M shares = about $404. Shares outstanding 266,333,581 / 275,880,314 - 1 = -3.5% (Dec 2024 - June 2026). Dividends 2025 4 x $0.25 = $1.00. Valuation: P/E = market value / net income: 90.60 / 1.552 = 58.4 (2024); 177.33 / 4.884 = 36.3 (2025); trailing 255.05 / 9.529 = 26.8; 2025 excluding the $2.9bn tax benefit 4,884 - 2,900 = 1,984, 177.33 / 1.984 = 89. P/S 90.60 / 34.935 = 2.59; 177.33 / 38.068 = 4.66; 255.05 / 41.367 = 6.17. Trailing revenue 38,068 + 20,442 - 17,143 = 41,367; trailing net income 4,884 + 5,413 - 768 = 9,529; trailing net income less the Prolec gain 9,529 - 3,992 = 5,537. Forward EPS 957.63 / 45.68 = 20.96. Analyst target 1,237.34 / 957.63 - 1 = 29%. Price 957.63 / 1,195.94 - 1 = -20% from the 52-week high. 2026 guidance: revenue midpoint (45.5 + 46.5) / 2 = 46.0bn; adjusted EBITDA at 12%-14% of 46.0bn = 5.5-6.4bn; free cash flow midpoint 12.0bn; H1 revenue 20,442 / 46,000 = 44%; H1 free cash flow 9,897 / 12,000 = 82%. Wind 2026 EBITDA loss about 400 against 2025 598. Services RPO / 2025 services revenue 85,993 / 17,134 = 5.0 times; services RPO beyond five years 100% - 52% = 48%. Electrification orders / revenue 19.3 / 9.642 = 2.0 times; Electrification services / revenue 2,263 / 9,642 = 23.5%; Electrification 2026 EBITDA at 18% of 14.5bn = 2.61bn. Prolec gain / trailing net income 3,992 / 9,529 = 42%. 2025 tax benefit / net income 2,900 / 4,884 = 59%. Gas turbine market share 64.5 - 18.5 = 46.0 for the other four of the top five. Share price 957.63 / 327.79 = 2.9 times. Cumulative segment EBITDA 2021-2025: Power 1,407 + 1,655 + 1,722 + 2,268 + 2,902 = 9,954; Electrification -461 - 164 + 234 + 679 + 1,433 = 1,721. Adjusted EBITDA margin 807 / 33,239 = 2.4% (2023); 2,035 / 34,935 = 5.8% (2024). Power share of total revenue 19,767 / 38,068 = 51.9%; Gas Power share of Power 16,006 / 19,767 = 81%; Nuclear share of Power 1,018 / 19,767 = 5.2%; Grid Solutions share of Electrification 6,620 / 9,642 = 68.7%. Electrification revenue 9,642 / 5,076 - 1 = 90% (2022-2025). Wind revenue 9,110 / 11,539 - 1 = -21% (2021-2025); Wind share of revenue 9,110 / 38,068 = 23.9%. Segment EBITDA of the three segments 2,902 - 598 + 1,433 = 3,737. Q2 2026 orders / 2025 orders 24.2 / 59.3 = 41%. Electrification and other RPO at 30 June 2026 176,284 - 111,649 - 20,388 = 44,247. Power equipment RPO 39,261 / 12,461 = 3.2 times (Dec 2024 - June 2026). 2026 guidance midpoints: revenue 41.5 (Dec 2025), 44.5 (Jan 2026), 45.0 (Apr 2026), 46.0 (Jul 2026); free cash flow 4.75, 5.25, 7.0, 12.0. Market value 255.05 / 35.71 = 7.1 times the when-issued value. R&D / revenue 1,197 / 38,068 = 3.1%. Trailing revenue growth over 2024 41,367 / 34,935 - 1 = 18%. Power orders share 32.8 / 59.3 = 55%. Wind services / Power services 1,859 / 13,081 = 14%; onshore wind units / gas turbine units 59,000 / 7,000 = 8.4. Power services RPO / Power services revenue 69,841 / 13,081 = 5.3 years. Electrification H1 2026 EBITDA margin 1,200 / 6,597 = 18.2%; Power H1 2026 1,842 / 10,449 = 17.6%. Return on equity 2025 4,884 / ((11,178 + 9,546) / 2 = 10,362) = 47.1%; excluding the tax benefit (4,884 - 2,900) / 10,362 = 19.1%. Q2 2026 capex implied by operating cash flow less free cash flow 5,492 - 5,107 = 385. SG&A / revenue 5,360 / 29,654 = 18.1% (2022); 4,949 / 38,068 = 13.0% (2025). Cost of services growth 11,774 - 9,716 = 2,058; services revenue growth 17,134 - 14,981 = 2,153 (2023-2025). Electrification 2026 guide without Prolec (14.5 - 3.1) / 9.642 - 1 = 18%; (15.0 - 3.1) / 9.642 - 1 = 23%. HA installed base growth 51 / 126 = 40%. Contract liabilities / receivables at end-2025 25,774 / 9,803 = 2.6 times; receivables / revenue 9,803 / 38,068 = 26%. Backlog target progress (176.3 - 135) / (200 - 135) = 64%. Heavy-duty orders Q2 2026 / 2025 52 / 110 = 47%. Average capacity per gas turbine sold 15.3 / 81 = 0.19 GW (2025); 11.1 / 101 = 0.11 GW (2022). Equity / contract liabilities 11,957 / 39,944 = 30%. Cost of services growth 2,058 / 9,716 = 21%; services revenue growth 2,153 / 14,981 = 14% (2023-2025). Gas turbine orders / sales 29.8 / 15.3 = 1.9 (2025). Electrification share of guided 2026 revenue 14.75 / 46.0 = 32%; of 2025 revenue 9,642 / 38,068 = 25%. Electrification share of 2025 orders 19.3 / 59.3 = 33%. Aeroderivative orders 63 / 44 - 1 = 43% - backlog, gas turbine slots, orders and customer deposits. — 2021-2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in GE Vernova's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, the Form 10 information statement, results releases and market data; operands shown in the source line. The 21% tax rate used for NOPAT is the US federal statutory rate, an assumption, because the 2025 reported tax line is a benefit.
  4. ReportedGE Vernova's Electrification orders were $19.3 billion in 2025, about twice the segment's revenue, and the segment's EBITDA margin rose to 18.4% in the second quarter of 2026.
    GE Vernova second-quarter 2026 results release (Form 8-K exhibit) - orders, revenue, segment EBITDA, free cash flow, the gas turbine backlog and slot reservations, data-centre orders and raised 2026 guidance - second-quarter results, orders, backlog and gas turbine slots. — Q2 2026 · publ. 22 July 2026 · source ↗
  5. ReportedThe $5,254 million purchase of the rest of Prolec GE brought seven factories and about 10,000 employees into the segment.
    GE Vernova Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 - the balance sheet, contract liabilities, borrowings, remaining performance obligations, orders and sales in units, business-unit revenue and the Prolec GE acquisition. — Q2 2026 · publ. 22 July 2026 · source ↗
  6. ReportedThe $5,254 million purchase of the rest of Prolec GE brought seven factories and about 10,000 employees into the segment.
    GE Vernova Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 - the balance sheet, contract liabilities, borrowings, remaining performance obligations, orders and sales in units, business-unit revenue and the Prolec GE acquisition. — Q2 2026 · publ. 22 July 2026 · source ↗
  7. ReportedElectrification services were $2,263 million in 2025 against $7,378 million of equipment, so the grid business depends on winning new equipment orders more than on servicing old ones.
    GE Vernova Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - segment revenue by business unit and by equipment and services, and Offshore Wind contract losses. — FY2025 · publ. 29 January 2026 · source ↗
  8. ReportedWith demand exceeding capacity, the company says, "we face growing competition from emerging threats", a warning that applies with most force where the product list overlaps with six large incumbents.
    GE Vernova Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Item 1A risk factors. — FY2025 · publ. 29 January 2026 · source ↗
  9. ReportedThe Electrification backlog shows how much work the segment has secured against these rivals: $34,667 million at the end of 2025, from $8,971 million three years earlier.
    GE Vernova Form 10-K for fiscal 2024 - 2022 segment revenue, segment EBITDA and remaining performance obligations, the first dividend and the April 2024 listing. — FY2024 · publ. February 2025 · source ↗
  10. ReportedThe Electrification backlog shows how much work the segment has secured against these rivals: $34,667 million at the end of 2025, from $8,971 million three years earlier.
    GE Vernova Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - segment revenue, segment EBITDA and the reconciliation to adjusted EBITDA. — FY2025 · publ. 29 January 2026 · source ↗
Sources
Generated September 28, 2026