GE Vernova Inc. announced plans to deploy two high-voltage 420 kV gas-insulated substations (GIS) that are free of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) for Statnett SF, Norway’s transmission system operator, and Equinor ASA. Awarded in the fourth quarter of last year, the contract includes the design, supply, and installation of substations at Skaidi and Hyggevatn, forming part of Statnett’s 420 kV transmission line project. This project marks a key step in supporting Norway’s energy transition and efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
The Skaidi substation will upgrade an existing facility, while the Hyggevatn installation will be built from the ground up. Together, they will modernize the national grid, boost transmission capacity, and enable the electrification of Melkøya Island—home to Equinor’s Snøhvit gas field and the Hammerfest LNG plant. The initiative reflects the shared commitment of Statnett and Equinor to advancing a more sustainable energy system.
Both substations will use GE Vernova’s g³ (pronounced “g-cubed”) technology, which eliminates the need for SF6 gas, a greenhouse gas commonly used in high-voltage equipment. This technology is part of GE Vernova’s GRiDEA portfolio, a suite of solutions designed to help grid operators meet net-zero targets. Since its launch in 2014, g³ gas has demonstrated a roughly 99 percent reduction in global warming potential compared to SF6, contributing meaningfully to the energy sector’s decarbonization efforts.
“This project in Norway is the latest of many contracts that we have signed for our new SF₆-free 420 kV T155g GIS since our first one in Scotland in 2020. GE Vernova’s g³ product portfolio has experienced strong commercial growth since the launch of our first SF6-free product, underscoring the trust placed in g³ by over 60 utilities in Europe and Asia,” said Eric Chaussin, Power Transmission Business Leader at GE Vernova’s Electrification segment. “This marks another important milestone in our journey to electrify and decarbonize the world’s grids. We are proud to support the climate ambitions of Norway.”
