The EU push for SF₆-free switchgear is a big win for our planet

The European Union (EU) has long been seeking to address the climate impact of all types of fluorinated gases (F-gases). This includes revising existing legislative frameworks to ban the use of Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF₆) in switchgear and limit its contribution to global warming.

In January 2024, the Council of the EU greenlit new regulations aimed at curtailing the use of F-gases, in alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement. These updated rules include a ban on medium-voltage switchgear that depends on SF₆, beginning with a gradual phase-out from 2026.

Since the installation of new medium-voltage switchgear using SF₆ will soon be prohibited, a paradigm shift to SF₆-free products will now spread at pace across Europe. Critics of the EU’s position argue that the mass rollout of renewable technologies needed for decarbonisation—depending, as they often do, on switchgear—will be impeded by these new mandatory requirements for SF₆-free technology.

However, tried and tested SF₆-free alternatives have long been on the market—particularly in the medium-voltage category up to and including 24kV, where the bulk of switchgear is used. Indeed, Eaton has pioneered SF₆-free switchgear for over 60 years, recently shipping our one-millionth SF₆-free panel.

Having supplied air insulated switchgear to more than 3,000 reference sites in over 60 countries, we’ve proven there’s no real barrier to the market moving to SF₆-free alternatives today. Vacuum-based switching in combination with natural air insulation technology is well suited to current grid requirements, and crucially, supports the fight against climate change. Just 1 kg of SF₆ is equivalent to 24,300 kg of CO2 in terms of global warming, so this landmark decision toward SF₆-free equipment makes a big difference.

New projects in the EU, renewable or otherwise, will now select SF₆-free switchgear as a matter of course thanks to this updated regulation. There will be some retrofitting, too. Eaton welcomes this as a leading SF₆-free switchgear manufacturer, of course, but most of all welcomes the benefits for the environment. Change takes time—any switchgear installed today will remain in use for decades—but we should all celebrate this important step towards eliminating SF₆.

Visit the links below for more information on SF₆-free technologies, or to learn how these new regulations will affect asset managers.