Preparing for the SF₆ Transition: Building Future-Ready Grids

­A significant change is underway in Europe’s medium-voltage infrastructure. From January 2026, the European Union has prohibited the use of sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) in new medium-voltage switchgear up to 24 kilovolts. For utilities, this is not simply the ban of a gas, but a pivotal moment in how Europe modernizes and strengthens its electrical infrastructure for decades to come.

In early 2024, the Council of the European Union formally adopted updated F-gas regulations aimed at reducing emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases, including SF₆. The regulation applies to all member states and targets a two-thirds reduction in emissions of these potent gases by 2030 compared to 2014. As part of this, the regulation bans the use of SF₆ in new medium-voltage electrical equipment up to 24 kV starting in 2026, and up to 52 kV from 2030.

SF₆ has been a cornerstone of medium-voltage networks for more than fifty years, appreciated for its reliability, enabling a compact design, and excellent insulating and arc-quenching capabilities. Yet, as the energy transition gathers pace, the sector is increasingly turning to alternatives with a lower global warming potential — a development that brings both opportunities and complexities. The phase-out of SF₆ aligns with a wider shift in how electrical systems are designed, operated, and strengthened. Rising electrification, greater decentralization, and ongoing digitalization are transforming the grid into a far more dynamic and data-driven ecosystem. In this setting, long-term resilience will rely on the ability of technologies, systems, and partnerships to adapt.

Across Europe, utilities face mounting pressures: rising electricity demand, ageing assets, and more frequent climate-related stresses testing the limits of older infrastructure. According to the European Commission’s Action Plan for Grids, electricity consumption across the EU is expected to rise by around 60 percent by 2030. Nearly 40 percent of distribution lines are already more than four decades old and in need of reinforcement and modernization. Globally, the IEA’s Electricity 2025 report notes that electricity use is increasing by about 4 percent per year — the equivalent of adding a Japan-sized power market annually.

In this landscape, the 2026 deadline presents an opportunity not only to comply but to modernize and prepare the grid for a more sustainable future.

More than a mandate: an opportunity to modernize

The shift to SF₆-free switchgear is not a simple substitution. It is a chance to reduce lifecycle costs and increase operational flexibility. New SF₆-free technologies, including those using dry air and vacuum interrupters, are now commercially available. These solutions eliminate fluorinated gases and deliver reliable performance. They make use of alternative insulation and switching methods that eliminate high-GWP gases. Importantly, many are designed with the same user interface, footprint, proven components, and operations as the existing portfolio to support easier deployment.

While capital costs for SF₆-free switchgear may be higher due to material and design complexity, the total cost of ownership over the asset’s life tells a different story. With increasing electrification and low-emission mandates worldwide adding pressure, organizations that take proactive steps now will be best positioned to lead the transition.

The utilities that succeed will be those that plan early, collaborate deeply, and strike a balance between near-term reliability and long-term sustainability goals.

Readiness at scale: supply chains, testing resources, and installation capability

The transition away from SF₆ will follow a tiered approach, and as a result, demand for compliant equipment is increasing, tightening lead times for key components, manufacturing slots, and type testing capacity across the supply chain. In this environment, businesses that take proactive steps — such as conducting feasibility studies, initiating pilot installations, and securing supply agreements — will be better positioned to avoid delays.

Across Europe, many utilities and industries are already stepping up. Those who move early are best placed to secure the supply chain for meeting the regulations. Availability and standardization across markets are still evolving, making early engagement even more crucial.

The challenge for utilities is not only technical but strategic. It is about ensuring readiness — from supply chains and installation capabilities to lifecycle support and service expertise.

Why utilities need confidence, not just products

Utilities are responsible for keeping the lights on. That role demands conservatism — because reliability comes first. A new switchgear technology, especially one as impactful as SF₆-free alternatives, brings valid concerns: Will it perform? Will it integrate smoothly? Will it disrupt existing protection philosophies?

These concerns are amplified by the scale of change happening on the grid. According to the IEA, the share of electricity in global energy use is expected to more than double by 2050. Grids are expanding, modernizing, and digitizing — all at once. Utilities need support that extends beyond component delivery. They need manufacturers who are ready to co-plan, co-develop, and commit to the long game.

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Partnership is the differentiator

The answer to these challenges is not just in technology. It is in partnership. The pace of electrification means utilities can no longer afford to rely on static solutions. Future proof is not only about product design; it is about strategic collaboration.

When utilities and technology providers collaborate early, they can develop solutions that exceed compliance requirements. They can create systems that remain adaptable as regulations evolve. This is where partnerships make the biggest difference. They enable shared visibility, mutual planning, and iterative development, which future-proofs the infrastructure.

Case example: co-developing SF₆-free solutions with Enedis

ABB’s collaboration with Enedis in France began in 2017 — long before any regulation was finalized. Together, the organizations co-developed fully SF₆-free switchgear tailored to Enedis’s distribution network. Today, Enedis operates one of the most advanced SF₆-free medium-voltage fleets in Europe. This experience demonstrates that these technologies are mature and scalable when built on the foundation of early collaboration.

It also demonstrates the importance of combining engineering expertise, operational feedback, and joint testing to refine designs over successive installations.

Innovation is a team sport

By embedding innovation into procurement strategies, utilities can gain early access to game-changing features while shaping them to fit specific operational contexts — whether that is harsh climates, space constraints, or legacy system integration.

For this to work effectively, solution suppliers must develop SF₆-free technologies that mirror the footprint, interfaces, and operating principles of existing equipment, allowing utilities to adopt new systems without major disruption. Such continuity is only possible when product development is shaped directly by utility experience and operational feedback.

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Solution providers offering SF₆-free switchgear are increasingly working with network operators to refine features that improve installation, operation, and long-term performance. Many next-generation systems for secondary distribution have been developed through extensive collaboration and testing, combining proven design elements with new insulating technologies to maintain the levels of reliability that utilities require.

Strengthening long-term resilience

The transition away from SF₆ is not only about replacing one technology with another. It is about strengthening the foundations of grid resilience and ensuring that the decisions made today positively impact the grid’s evolution.

The countdown to January 2026 is not an end point, but a beginning. The work utilities undertake now — modernizing systems, aligning partnerships, and building trust across the value chain — will shape how Europe’s power networks withstand the pressures of the future energy landscape.

No one can do this alone. The SF₆ phase-out is about rethinking how we build, operate, and evolve the grid. That cannot happen through one-off purchases or short-term fixes. It requires partnerships rooted in trust, deep technical collaboration, and a shared commitment to progress.

By working side-by-side, utilities and technology providers can create infrastructure that is not only SF₆-free but also resilient, efficient, and ready for the future.

ABB