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37 min ago 3 min read
UK organisations are preparing to accelerate the adoption of SF6-free medium-voltage (MV) switchgear, as the electricity sector faces growing pressure to reduce emissions from power infrastructure.
This is according to new research commissioned by Schneider Electric and conducted by IDC, which surveyed 700 decision-makers worldwide to examine the industry’s readiness to transition away from sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
The report examines the drivers behind the transition, alongside the challenges facing organisations as they consider replacing conventional gas-insulated switchgear with alternative technologies.
SF6 has long been used in electrical infrastructure because of its excellent insulating and arc-quenching properties. However, with a global warming potential (GWP) of approximately 24,300 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2), the gas has come under mounting environmental scrutiny.
The transition is also taking place against a backdrop of rising electricity demand, with data centres, electrification and renewable energy generation placing additional pressure on power networks.
As outlined in previous gasworld analysis, approximately 80% of global SF6 consumption is associated with electricity transmission and distribution.
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Its high dielectric strength has enabled manufacturers to develop compact switchgear for applications where space is limited, including substations, industrial facilities and offshore wind installations.
However, alternatives are now available, particularly in the MV market. These include equipment using clean air for insulation and vacuum technology for switching, eliminating the need for SF6.
Schneider Electric’s AirSeT range replaces SF6 with purified air and uses vacuum interruption to extinguish electrical arcs.
The company has also expanded its manufacturing capacity to support the transition. In 2024, it launched its Ringmaster AirSeT switchgear in the UK following a £7.2m ($9.5m) investment in its Leeds, UK manufacturing facility.
Regulatory pressure
Regulation is another factor shaping the market.
The EU’s revised F-gas Regulation introduced restrictions on SF6 in new MV switchgear up to 24kV from January 2026, with further restrictions on higher-voltage equipment scheduled for later years.
Although the UK is no longer bound by the EU’s regulation, the government has also been exploring measures to phase out SF6 from electricity network infrastructure.
For equipment manufacturers, this presents an opportunity to expand their portfolios of alternative technologies. For network operators, however, the transition brings questions around investment, equipment availability and long-term reliability.
One of the central challenges is that alternative technologies are generally incompatible with existing SF6-based switchgear. Replacing the gas can require entire systems to be replaced, creating additional capital costs for utilities and industrial operators.
Schneider Electric is already working with major network operators to deploy alternatives. In August 2025, it signed a long-term framework agreement with E.ON to supply SF6-free primary and secondary MV switchgear across the energy company’s network.
Commenting on the agreement, Melton Chang, Executive Vice President of Power Systems at Schneider Electric, said, “By working with E.ON to deploy SF6-free technologies, we’re not only helping satisfy new regulatory requirements – we’re shaping the future of electricity in Europe.”
