GE Vernova launches 170 kV SF₆-free switchgear at CIGRE Paris 2026, completing its full transmission-grid GIS range

At CIGRE Paris 2026, GE Vernova announced the F35g—a new 170 kV SF₆-free gas-insulated switchgear that fills the last gap in its transmission-grid lineup. With this launch, the company now offers SF₆-free GIS across five voltage levels, from 72.5 kV to 420 kV.

The announcement also marks ten years since GE Vernova introduced its first product using g³ technology—an alternative to sulfur hexafluoride, the potent greenhouse gas that’s long been standard in high-voltage electrical equipment.

New 170 kV switchgear completes GE Vernova’s SF₆-free transmission lineup

GE Vernova made the announcement on August 26, 2026, at CIGRE Paris 2026—one of the electricity industry’s most prominent technical conferences. The new F35g 170 kV GIS is available for order immediately and will be manufactured in Europe.

Dual compliance opens the product to markets operating under different regulatory frameworks: Europe primarily uses IEC standards, while North America leans on IEEE.

Before this product, GE Vernova’s SF₆-free GIS range had a gap at the 170 kV level. The F35g closes it. The lineup now covers five voltage levels: 72.5 kV, 145 kV, 170 kV, 245 kV, and 420 kV—a complete span of the transmission range utilities typically need.

The launch also closes a ten-year loop. GE Vernova introduced its first g³-based product in 2016, and getting from that initial release to a full transmission-grid range took a decade of incremental expansion across different voltage classes.

Why SF₆ alternatives matter for grid infrastructure

SF₆ became the default insulating gas in high-voltage equipment for good reason. It has exceptionally strong dielectric properties—capable of withstanding high electric fields without breaking down, which is critical inside compact, sealed switchgear.

The problem is what it does to the climate. SF₆ is one of the most potent greenhouse gases known, with a global warming potential thousands of times higher than CO₂ over a 100-year period. That makes it an obvious target as utilities and regulators look to decarbonize electricity infrastructure beyond just the generation side.

Regulatory pressure has grown alongside that concern. The EU has progressively tightened rules on fluorinated greenhouse gases, pushing manufacturers and grid operators toward alternatives. Other markets have followed with similar measures, though on varying timelines.

GE Vernova developed g³ technology in 2016 specifically as a drop-in alternative for SF₆ in GIS and other high-voltage equipment. The goal was to match SF₆’s performance characteristics while eliminating its climate impact—a technically demanding bar to clear.

Technical specifications and design features of the F35g 170 kV

The F35g 170 kV is designed to deliver the same performance, reliability, and compact footprint that utilities expect from conventional SF₆-based GIS. That parity matters. A greener alternative that needs more space or compromises on reliability isn’t a realistic option for most grid operators.

It’s also digital-native. The product integrates monitoring and diagnostic capabilities that give operators real-time visibility into equipment condition and performance—the kind of continuous insight that’s increasingly standard in modern grid infrastructure, where predictive maintenance can prevent costly outages.

On the standards front, the F35g 170 kV meets both IEC and IEEE requirements. Dual compliance opens the product to markets operating under different regulatory frameworks: Europe primarily uses IEC standards, while North America leans on IEEE.

GE Vernova also applied Life Cycle Assessments during development. These LCAs evaluate carbon emissions across the full product lifecycle—from raw material extraction and manufacturing through transportation, operation, and eventual end of life—to identify emission reduction opportunities that go beyond simply swapping the insulating gas.

Public funding and broader portfolio context

Development of the F35g 170 kV received partial support from France 2030, a national investment program operated by ADEME. The program backs technologies aimed at contributing to France’s transition toward lower-carbon infrastructure, and high-voltage switchgear manufacturing fits squarely within that scope.

The new product sits within GE Vernova’s GRiDEA™ portfolio, which groups together technologies focused on reducing the carbon footprint of electrical grid equipment while maintaining the reliability that critical infrastructure demands.

GIS plays a specific role in that infrastructure—used in substations to safely control and protect high-voltage electricity flow. Its sealed, compact design makes it especially relevant for urban substations and other space-constrained installations where conventional air-insulated switchgear simply won’t fit.

GE Vernova has expanded g³ technology progressively since 2016, adding voltage level after voltage level. The F35g 170 kV is the final piece of that build-out for transmission grids.

To recap the key facts: GE Vernova launched the F35g 170 kV SF₆-free GIS at CIGRE Paris 2026 on August 26, 2026. The product completes the company’s SF₆-free GIS range across five transmission voltage levels—72.5 kV, 145 kV, 170 kV, 245 kV, and 420 kV. It’s manufactured in Europe, available for order now, meets both IEC and IEEE standards, and includes digital monitoring capabilities. Its development was partially funded through France 2030. The launch comes exactly ten years after GE Vernova introduced its first g³ technology product in 2016.

Kelly Lippke

Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.