Features | 13.03.2026 | 3 min read
South Australia is recognized as one of the world leaders in renewable integration, averaging 74% net variable renewable energy generation, on an annual basis.
Breakthrough SF6-free EconiQ® technologies to help modernize South Australia’s grid
Australia is undergoing one of the most ambitious energy transformations in the world, and South Australia sits at its forefront. The state was one of the first to adopt largescale battery storage and continues to break records for its extraordinary penetration of renewable energy, wind and solar frequently meet 100% of the state’s electricity demand.
But this rapid transition also places new demands on the transmission network:
greater variability across the system;
increased need for stability and secure switching; and
growing pressure to reduce the environmental footprint of every component of grid infrastructure.
As South Australia reshapes its electricity system to meet the State Government’s target of 100% net renewable generation by 2027 and net zero emissions by 2050, one essential question guides the journey: how can the grid become more sustainable without compromising the reliability people depend on?
Global collaboration for local impact
In response, ElectraNet, South Australia’s primary transmission network service provider, has chosen Hitachi Energy to deliver its first deployment of SF₆-free high-voltage switchgear. It is a significant step for a company that has long played a pioneering role integrating renewables, strengthening interstate interconnectors, and increasing grid security across South Australia.
ElectraNet’s decision underscores its ongoing leadership in integrating renewable resources while modernizing the network to meet future challenges.
We’re committed to adopting innovative solutions that drive sustainability and reliability across our network. The move towards SF₆-free switchgear is a significant step in reducing our environmental footprint while maintaining the high standards of performance and safety our customers expect. Working with Hitachi Energy allows us to trial advanced technology and ensure it integrates seamlessly into our operations, supporting our broader goal of a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
For Hitachi Energy, the project marks another milestone in its global mission to eliminate SF6 from high-voltage technologies.
With ElectraNet, we are proud to introduce their first EconiQ switchgear in South Australia. This project represents a new era of sustainable and reliable high-voltage technologies, completely free of SF₆. Together, we’re shaping an energy landscape that supports communities today and strengthens Australia’s resilience for decades to come.
EconiQ in action
Under the agreement, Hitachi Energy will deliver three EconiQ 145-kV Live Tank Circuit breakers (LTA) and one EconiQ 72.5-kV LTA unit. All the equipment is designed and engineered at the company’s global center of excellence in Ludvika, Sweden.
Hitachi Energy’s EconiQ technology is designed to meet the highest expectations of utilities seeking to decarbonize without compromise:
Decarbonization at scale: Eliminates SF6, significantly reducing CO2-equivalent emissions across the product lifecycle
Uncompromised performance: Matches the footprint and reliability of conventional switchgear
Future-ready: Supports evolving regulations that restrict high-GWP insulation gases.
Seamless integration: Easily retrofits into existing infrastructure with minimal disruption.
The LTAs are expected to be fully delivered by April 2027. Once operational, these units will perform a simple but vital job: keeping South Australia’s grid safe, stable, and resilient without relying on one of the world’s most potent greenhouse gases.
A small part of the grid with a big climate impact
Most people will never see a high-voltage circuit breaker. They won’t notice the difference between SF₆-based or SF₆-free technology. But they will experience the long-term effects of decisions like this - through a cleaner environment, a more modern grid, and an energy system that evolves alongside the country’s climate ambitions.
The road to net zero is paved not only by the technologies in the spotlight - solar farms and wind turbines - but by the quiet, thoughtful innovations working behind the scenes in the hidden corners of the grid.
ElectraNet’s adoption of EconiQ technology is a reminder that meaningful climate action happens at every level of the grid. By replacing one of the world’s most potent greenhouse gases with a sustainable, high-performance alternative, the company is helping build a future that is cleaner, more resilient, and prepared for the decades ahead.
