SF6 gas

The substation in the Virkkala area of Lohja is pioneering Fingrid’s substation renewal efforts – it is the first substation to operate without sulphur hexafluoride (SF6 dielectric gas) in its switchgear. The project is groundbreaking on an international scale, as it is Siemens Energy Europe’s largest delivery of SF6-free technology to date.

Fingrid is preparing to initiate a project to install 110-kilovolt GIS using a new insulation technology. The vision is for 2025, and all switchgear installed after this date will contain environmentally friendly insulating gases. Switchgear containing SF6 as an insulating gas will be systematically phased out.

Sulphur hexafluoride gas (SF6) has been the primary insulating medium in high-voltage electrical switchgear and controlgear for 40 years. Fingrid prevents the potent greenhouse gas from escaping into the atmosphere by constantly monitoring the equipment where it is used.