Switching Gears for Net Zero

Who we are

Six leading high and medium voltage power equipment manufacturers who are committed to bringing ever cleaner electricity to homes, cars and workplaces.

Why we need action today

The race for net zero places clean electricity at the heart of Europe’s energy supply. This shifts the focus to the grid infrastructure itself: it must not harm the environment, the climate, or people.

Switchgear sits at the core of the grid. It manages voltage and controls electricity flows. Today, most switchgear still depends on SF6 as an insulating gas. Its global warming potential is around 25,200 times higher than CO2.

Policy now drives change. The EU Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulation sets a clear direction by phasing out F-gases in medium and high voltage by 2032. New equipment should rely on technologies with no F-gases or with a global warming potential below one. Execution remains uneven as regulatory fragmentation adds uncertainty while issues like lifecycle rules under ESPR and some PFAS substitutes such as fluoroketone and fluoronitrile create long term regulatory and health hazards.

A mature alternative already exists. Natural origin gases deliver insulation with no climate impact and no PFAS concerns. They align with the direction of EU policy and reduce future compliance risk.

The choice is clear. Move to future proof, F-gas free technologies, or risk locking in another generation of harmful gases.

What comes after is in our hands: we want to switch gears for net zero, for zero F-gases in switchgear.

Avoid GHG emissions

Avoid GHG emissions

And hence fully align with Europe’s net zero climate law. F-Gas free solutions are the only technology allowing operators to reach their own net zero targets and to reach net zero emissions in all product life-cycle phases.

Prevent harm to the environment and human health

Prevent harm to the environment and human health

By avoiding use of PFAS or “forever chemicals” which are at odds with the EU’s non-toxic environment strategy. This eradicates new oppositions from anti-wind campaigners, as accelerating renewable energy is Europe’s number one priority.

Zero dependencies

Zero dependencies

As Natural-Origin Gases are widely available and free of patents, unlike Fluoronitrile and Fluoroketone which are entirely controlled by a single company. There is already a broad choice of reliable and safe technologies and manufacturers.

No additional costs to consumers’ electricity bills

No additional costs to consumers’ electricity bills

Thanks to lower gas costs and lower maintenance costs. Despite higher initial investment costs due to higher material needs, the relevant question is: as a society, can we afford not to have F-gas free grids?

Our Mission

Timely action is needed. Operators need investment certainty and a clear signal that Europe is switching gears for F-gas free power grids.

Our call to EU policymakers:

Phase out all switchgear relying on F-gases across voltage levels where alternatives are available. Ensure correct implementation of the F-gas Regulation by limiting derogations, harmonising enforcement, and clarifying procurement rules.
PFAS insulating gases in switchgear are not needed. Proven natural origin gas alternatives are already available, technically feasible, and safe for the environment and human health. No derogations should preserve current or future use of PFAS in switchgear.
Address market barriers by supporting the scale up of F-gas free technologies, reducing cost gaps, and ensuring fair competition in tenders. Align with future ecodesign rules to provide a clear and consistent transition pathway.

The race for net zero places clean electricity at the heart of Europe’s energy supply. This shifts the focus to the grid infrastructure itself: it must not harm the environment, the climate, or people.

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