GE Vernova has announced plans to install two high-voltage 420 kV sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)-free gas-insulated substations (GIS) in Norway for Statnett SF, the national transmission system operator, and Equinor ASA. The contract includes the design, supply, and installation of GIS units at Skaidi and Hyggevatn as part of Statnett’s 420 kV transmission line project.
The Skaidi substation will involve an upgrade of an existing facility, while Hyggevatn will be a new installation. Both sites are intended to strengthen Norway’s power grid, increase transmission capacity, and support the electrification of Melkøya Island, which hosts Equinor’s Snøhvit gas field and Hammerfest LNG plant.
The substations will be based on GE Vernova’s g³ technology, which replaces SF₆—a greenhouse gas widely used in high-voltage electrical equipment—with a significantly lower-emission alternative. According to GE Vernova, g³ gas reduces global warming potential by approximately 99% compared to SF₆.
The project is part of broader efforts by Statnett and Equinor to reduce emissions and support Norway’s transition to a low-carbon energy system. The substations are expected to be operational by 2029.
The installation follows similar deployments in other parts of Europe and reflects growing adoption of SF₆-free technologies. GE Vernova has previously implemented GIS projects in several Norwegian locations, including Oslo Smestad, Sogn, and Hamang.
