In a decisive step toward a more sustainable and resilient energy future, Enedis, France’s largest distribution system operator (DSO), has renewed its framework agreement with ABB to continue modernising the country’s electricity network with SF₆-free medium-voltage (MV) switchgear technology. The five-year agreement, extendable to eight years, strengthens the long-standing collaboration between the two organisations and reinforces Enedis’ commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its grid infrastructure.
Signed and launched in Q3 2025, the new phase of collaboration builds upon a successful partnership established in 2017, when Enedis first committed to phasing out sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) – a potent greenhouse gas over 24,000 times more harmful than CO₂. This forward-looking decision, made well ahead of European regulations on fluorinated gases (F-gases), positioned Enedis and ABB as early leaders in developing sustainable switchgear technologies for the European energy market.
Europe’s energy networks
Europe’s energy landscape is undergoing rapid transformation. The proliferation of renewable energy systems, heat pumps, electric vehicles, and decentralised energy communities is driving a shift away from fossil fuels but also placing unprecedented demands on national electricity distribution networks. According to EU projections, electricity consumption is set to rise by 60% between 2023 and 2030, underlining the urgent need for scalable, low-carbon, and resilient grid solutions.
Under the renewed framework, ABB will continue to supply and scale up deployment of its field-proven SF₆-free switchgear solutions, notably the Unisec V500, an air-insulated switchgear integrating vacuum circuit breaker technology. First installed in 2021 following joint development between ABB and Enedis, this innovative SF₆-free technology has since been validated for wider use across France’s MV networks.
Partnership driving sustainable grid innovation
The collaboration between ABB and Enedis exemplifies how strategic industrial partnerships can drive innovation in smart grid modernisation and climate-resilient infrastructure. Hervé Champenois, Chief Technical Officer of Enedis, emphasised: “This renewed agreement with ABB reflects our shared ambition to reduce environmental impact and support the decarbonisation of the grid while modernising and expanding capacity. By working with partners that share our values, we can make the French electricity system more resilient for the future.”
Andrea Estrada Hein, Executive Vice President, Switchgear Business Line, Distribution Solutions at ABB, added: “As electrification accelerates and demand on the grid grows, partnerships like this will be essential to ensure Europe’s energy transition is both reliable and sustainable.”
Towards a circular, low-carbon grid
The renewed framework goes beyond equipment delivery. Both organisations will focus on enhancing product environmental performance, integrating eco-design principles, and developing a clear roadmap to reduce carbon intensity across the full lifecycle of grid assets. The agreement also includes a take-back programme for retiring SF₆-based equipment, supporting circular economy practices and the responsible recovery of fluorinated gases.
Regulatory alignment and future outlook
The partnership’s timing aligns with forthcoming EU F-gas regulation updates, which will ban new SF₆-based switchgear up to 24kV from 2026, and between 24–52kV from 2030, with restrictions on gas servicing after 2035. By scaling deployment of SF₆-free switchgear, Enedis and ABB are ensuring that France’s electricity distribution network not only complies with regulatory mandates but also leads Europe’s decarbonised grid transition.
As energy systems become increasingly digitalised and decentralised, the renewed Enedis–ABB agreement stands as a benchmark for sustainable electrical infrastructure, demonstrating how technology innovation, long-term collaboration, and environmental stewardship can power Europe’s journey toward a net-zero energy future.
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