A power management company,Eaton Nigeria has advocated government regulation as a measure to curb the use of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas in switchgears used for electrical power distribution.
The company gave the suggestion at the recently concluded Power and Water Nigeria Exhibition and Conference 2022.
During his presentation on the topic ‘A Call to Action on the ‘dirtiest’ greenhouse gas in clean energy’, Charles Iyo, Regional Sales Manager Eaton West Africa said: “Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas which is used in the production of most switchgears remains one of the world’s potent greenhouse gases that adversely affect the environment. 1kg of SF6 is equivalent to 23,500 Kg of CO2 in global warming potential, and each unit of switchgear is estimated to use 2.5 kg of SF6 gas; which makes it devastatingly dangerous to the climate.”
Government in Africa, especially Nigeria,Iyo said,needs to take proactive measures such as implementing new regulations to ban the use of SF6 Gas in switchgear production.
He added:”Also, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders needs to collaborate and elevate industry practice and policies to implement the use of SF6 free technology thereby creating a safe and sustainable future.”
He highlighted SF6 free alternatives that could positively combat climate change,adding that the adoption of vacuum technology are considered safe, compact, and reliable alternatives to SF6 gas in the production of switchgears.
Eaton has been at the forefront of advocating the elimination of SF6 gas globally. The power management company pioneered SF₆ free medium voltage switchgear production in 1960 with Magnefix, a compact solution for distribution system operators.
