By Andrea Estrada-Hein, EVP, Global Business Line – Switchgear, ABB
In January 2026, the European Union’s ban on the use of sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) in new medium-voltage switchgear (≤24 kV) will come into effect as part of its revised F-gas Regulation.
This deadline marks a definitive shift for energy utility operators, not only in terms of regulatory compliance but also in how they manage their electrical infrastructure investments. While the regulatory requirement is clear, the path to long-term resilience, reliability, and sustainability is more complex.
The phase-out of SF₆ is part of a wider transformation in the energy sector, one characterised by accelerated electrification, decentralisation of power generation, and increasing digitalisation of grid assets. In this context, the switch to SF₆-free equipment is not simply a question of replacing one technology with another. It is a strategic moment in time that demands close coordination between utilities and technology suppliers.
A partnership model offers critical advantages across four dimensions: futureproofing infrastructure, securing supply chains, accelerating innovation, and improving lifecycle sustainability.
- Futureproofing infrastructure in a rapidly changing landscape
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), electricity’s share of final energy demand is projected to rise from 20 per cent to over 50 per cent by 2050, with electricity becoming the dominant energy in many sectors. As more energy applications shift to electric power, the role of medium-voltage switchgear becomes increasingly central to network stability.
This pressure is compounded by a parallel development in regulation. In addition to the 2026 ban, the EU has outlined further phased restrictions, including a ban on high-GWP F-gases in switchgear between 52 kV and 145 kV by 2028. In this environment, static equipment that cannot accommodate changing technical standards, bidirectional energy flows, or software-defined functionalities risks becoming obsolete.
Futureproofing, therefore, requires a flexible, forward-looking approach to technology deployment that integrates modular design, embedded digital control systems, and compatibility with evolving protection philosophies.
However, many electrification decision-makers across Europe are preferring for legislation to mandate technology changes. In ABB’s recent energy transition and switchgear survey, 83 per cent of decision-makers said that they’d only make the shift to SF6-free switchgear if it were mandated by regulation. Partnerships between utilities and manufacturers therefore become more important, supporting joint long-term planning and co-development of systems designed to adapt to shifting regulatory and grid conditions.
- Strengthening supply chain resilience in a constrained market
Electrification and the energy transition are placing great pressure on grid infrastructure supply chains. IEA projections suggest that annual investment in global grid infrastructure must more than double by 2030, from around $300 billion in 2023 to over $600 billion, to meet decarbonisation targets. However, geopolitical tensions and resource constraints continue to disrupt production and delivery timelines for key components, including metals, gases, and semiconductors.
With the transition to SF₆-free switchgear introducing new technical specifications and material requirements that are not yet standardised globally, the issue of supply chain reliability rears its head once more. Against this backdrop, isolated procurement practices are increasingly risky. Instead, utilities are turning to deeper collaborations with technology suppliers to align on forecasting, inventory management, and local sourcing strategies.
Establishing a close partnership enhances resilience by improving visibility across the value chain, allowing earlier identification of potential bottlenecks and better coordination of logistics. Where manufacturers operate decentralised production networks, delivery lead times can be shortened, and regional compliance ensured – without compromising on product quality or technical consistency.
- Accelerating innovation and deployment
While natural-origin gases and dry air are now viable alternatives for many medium-voltage applications, real-world performance is highly dependent on context: environmental conditions, installation constraints, and protection requirements vary significantly across geographies and sectors.
Collaborative programmes between utilities and technology developers play a vital role in bridging this gap. These projects help refine product specifications, streamline certification processes, and ensure that solutions go beyond compliance and achieve safe effectiveness. According to the European Commission’s Clean Energy Package, coordinated innovation between system operators and technology providers is essential to speeding up the integration of low-emission solutions in energy networks.
Crucially, a partnership with a trusted technology provider helps ensure that the deployment is as minimally disruptive as possible. For example, ABB’s portfolio of medium voltage (MV) SF6-free switchgear is designed to offer the same footprint, user interface, and – where possible – components as the SF6 switchgear options. This makes them as close as engineers can get to a “drop-in” alternative for a seamless transition.
The partnership also enables utilities to gain early access to emerging technologies, such as condition monitoring and predictive maintenance algorithms in key equipment, by embedding co-development into their procurement strategies. This ensures technology investments keep pace with operational needs.
- Total lifecycle sustainability
Of course, sustainability in operations is about more than a one-off change of equipment from an SF6 switchgear to an SF6-free alternative. Utilities operators need to demonstrate sustainability across the entire equipment lifecycle. While removing SF₆ eliminates a key greenhouse gas, the sustainability profile of the replacement solution must also be addressed.
Although SF6 is rightfully identified as an environmentally harmful gas that has a global warming potential over 23,000 times that of CO₂, it’s essential to remember that it is not being released into the environment in SF6 switchgear. Eco-design of SF6 switchgear involves various factors, from the use of raw system materials with low embodied carbon values to a specialist end-of-life service for the switchgear.
SF₆-free switchgear designs can often involve increased use of metals and insulative materials. Without careful consideration, this could result in higher embodied carbon and reduced recyclability.
Close partnerships between operators and technology providers allow for greater co-ordination on eco-design principles and material selection, including the use of recycled metals, green steel, or thermoplastics to reduce the environmental footprint of new equipment.
Crucially, a close relationship means that technology providers are able to more effectively support end-of-life care for SF6-free systems, ensuring that they are properly disposed of in an environmentally friendly one that can support circularity.
The SF₆ phase-out is a regulatory imperative, but the underlying shift is far more strategic. Electrical grids are evolving into dynamic systems that must balance sustainability, reliability, and flexibility. Navigating this landscape requires more than equipment replacements. It requires partnerships rooted in trust, technical depth, and shared objectives. By collaborating closely, grid operators and technology providers can build infrastructure that is not only compliant but also resilient, efficient, and ready for the challenges ahead.
