Energy Transition

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SF6-Free

Energy Transition

The energy grid is undergoing a transformation as networks shift toward renewable energy sources. Decentralized generation and evolving energy storage solutions are increasing the complexity of grid management, making stability more challenging. ABB Electrification Distribution Solutions partners with businesses to navigate these changes by ensuring a reliable flow of electricity. With our new SF6-free switchgear portfolio for primary and secondary distribution, we support utilities and industries on their energy transition journey. Our solutions range use the same interface, footprint, proven components, and operation as the existing portfolio. As new regulations emerge, our technology helps customers adapt to a future-ready grid while meeting regulatory requirements.

SF6-Free Product Portfolio

All

Primary distribution

Secondary distribution

Components

UniSec Air

Indoor air-insulated switchgear for secondary power distribution. UniSec Air includes the switch disconnector and disconnector GSec Air, SF6-free up to 24 kV.

UniSec Air Product Page

GSec Air switch disconnector

GSec Air is a SF6-free medium voltage three-positions switch-disconnector and earthing switch for secondary distribution medium voltage switchgear.

GSec Air Product Page

SafeRing/SafePlus Air

Compact gas-insulated switchgear for secondary power distribution, with dry air up to 24 kV. Puffer-type load break switch (LBS) specifically for SF6-free applications interrupting load currents in dry air.

Safe Ring/SafePlus Air Product Page

PrimeGear ZX0

Compact and cost-effective switchgear for standard applications in primary power distribution, built as a single busbar design. Available with dry air (SF6-free) up to 12 kV.

PrimeGear ZX0 Product Page

Primary distribution

PrimeGear ZX0

Compact and cost-effective switchgear for standard applications in primary power distribution, built as a single busbar design. Available with dry air (SF6-free) up to 12 kV.

PrimeGear ZX0 Product Page

Secondary distribution

SafeRing/SafePlus Air

UniSec Air

Indoor air-insulated switchgear for secondary power distribution. UniSec Air includes the switch disconnector and disconnector GSec Air, SF6-free up to 24 kV.

Safe Ring/SafePlus Air Product Page

UniSec Air Product Page

Components

GSec Air switch disconnector

GSec Air is a SF6-free medium voltage three-positions switch-disconnector and earthing switch for secondary distribution medium voltage switchgear.

GSec Air Product Page

Insights

Press release

Enedis and ABB renew framework agreement to accelerate France’s SF6-free grid transition

ABB will continue providing Enedis, France’s largest distribution system operator (DSO), the field-proven SF6-free solution, ensuring the innovation co-developed by both companies can now be deployed at a greater scale to support France’s energy transition.

Press release

ABB will supply its next-generation SF6-free switchgear to E.ON in Germany

ABB has partnered with E.ON, Germany’s largest distribution system operator (DSO), to supply its new sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)-free gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). As a DSO, E.ON is responsible for operating, maintaining, and developing the medium- and low-voltage electricity networks that deliver power to end users.

Article

Making the switch from SF6 - power to adapt

A critical change is coming to Europe’s medium-voltage infrastructure. From January 2026, the use of SF6 in medium-voltage switchgear up to certain voltage levels will be restricted in the European Union. Andrea Estrada-Hein, EVP, Global Business Line Switchgear shares what you need to know — and why now is the time to act.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SF6 and why is it being phased out?

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is a synthetic gas used in medium-voltage (MV) switchgear for insulation and arc quenching. It has an extremely high global warming potential (GWP) - 24,300 times greater than CO₂ - making it a major contributor to climate change if not handled properly.

Under EU Regulation (EU) 2024/573, SF6 and other fluorinated gases are being phased out in electrical switchgear. The F-Gas Regulation bans the use of SF6 in new MV electrical equipment up to 24 kV by January 1st 2026 and up to 52 kV by 2030. The EU’s F-Gas Regulation, which applies to all EU member states, aims to reduce potent and harmful greenhouse gas emissions, including SF6, by two-thirds by 2030 compared to levels in 2014.

The US state of California has introduced a similar ban, phasing out the use of SF6 in gas-insulated equipment starting in 2025, while the United Kingdom is also working on equivalent F-gas legislation.

What are the serious implications of not complying with SF6 regulations?

Non-compliance can result in legal sanctions determined by national authorities. Operators are responsible for ensuring compliance, including proper documentation, leak checks, and use of certified personnel for handling F-gases.

What alternatives to SF6 are acceptable under the new regulation?

The regulation allows only non-F-gas insulation and break media for MV switchgear ≤ 24kV from January 1^st, 2026. Acceptable alternatives include:

Dry air.
Vacuum technology.
Natural-origin gases.

For higher voltage levels, F-gases with GWP < 1 are permitted. ABB’s SF6-free technologies use dry air and vacuum interrupters, fully compliant with EU standards.

What are ABB's SF6-free switchgear products available for secondary distribution?

ABB offers SF6-free switchgear for secondary distribution using dry air technology for 24kV including:

SafeRing/SafePlus Air (Up to 24 kV)  
UniSec Air (Up to 24 kV) 
GSec Air (Up to 24 kV), switch disconnector

What are the key considerations when choosing SF6-free switchgear?

Regulatory compliance: Meet EU 2024/573 requirements to remove SF6-gas from your operations.
Environmental impact: Zero (GWP) achieved with dry air insulation.
Compatibility: UniSec Air and SafeRing/SafePlus Air are built to handle today’s demands and tomorrow’s challenges, following on the footprint of the original product families previously engineered.
Adaptability: ABB dry air solutions are designed for the evolving needs of distributed energy resources, renewables integration, and digital grids.

How do SF6-free products compare in terms of performance and reliability?

ABB's sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)-free switchgear product range for secondary distribution uses the same user interface, footprint, proven components, and operations as the existing portfolio. We deliver the same quality and reliability our customers expect from us. The SF6-free solution is fully compliant with IEC standards and the EU F-gas regulation (EU) 2024/573 and has global warming potential (GWP) of zero.

What support is available for transitioning to SF6-free technology?

ABB’s SF6-free switchgear product range for secondary distribution uses the same user interface, footprint, proven components, and operations as the existing portfolio, delivering the same quality and reliability our customers expect from us and enabling a smooth transition to the EU F-gas regulation.