UNITED KINGDOM – GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions (GE) has been awarded a three-year framework contract with SP Energy Networks for the supply of 145 kV sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)-free live tank circuit-breakers utilizing GE’s g3 gas as the insulating and switching dielectric medium.

This news follows the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) hosted in Glasgow, Scotland last month.

GE’s live tank circuit-breakers will use gas insulating and switching technology, which represents an alternative to sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), the most commonly used insulator for electrical equipment in substations across the UK, the manufacturer said in a press release.

Following the tender qualification process, GE secured 80% of the forecasted volume of 145 kV SF6-free live tank circuit-breakers to be supplied to SP Energy Networks under the three-year “High Voltage (HV) Main Plant” framework agreement, which will run until June 2024.

The agreement will cover the majority of SP Energy Networks’ 145 kV SF6-free live tank circuit-breaker requirements over the UK’s RIIO-T2 regulatory period.  In addition, SP Energy Networks plans to procure other high voltage equipment from GE, such as disconnectors at different voltage levels to cater to the needs of the SP Transmission (SPT) and SP Manweb (SPM) networks in the UK.

“With this world’s first g3 three-year framework agreement for g3 live tank circuit breakers, SP Energy Networks reiterates its confidence in GE’s g3 gas technology,” said Eric Chaussin, Senior Executive High Voltage Products Division Leader at GE’s Grid Solutions.

“Today’s agreement follows the first project of a g3 gas-insulated bus duct already in operation and a second order for sixteen 145 kV g3-gas-insulated substation (GIS) bays expected to be operational by 2023. We look forward to continuing to support SP Energy Networks in achieving their goal of net-zero emissions.”

Source: GE