Siemens Energy India Energizes First 145 kV SF6-Free "Blue" Circuit Breaker with Clean-Air Vacuum Technology in Goa

Siemens Energy India, in collaboration with the Goa Electricity Department, has successfully energized the country’s first 145 kV SF6-free transmission circu...

Siemens Energy India Energizes First 145 kV SF6-Free "Blue" Circuit Breaker with Clean-Air Vacuum Technology in Goa

Siemens Energy India, in collaboration with the Goa Electricity Department, has successfully energized the country’s first 145 kV SF6-free transmission circuit breaker, utilizing purified clean air insulation and vacuum interrupters.

Zero Global Warming Gas in High-Voltage Substations

Installed at the 220/110/33 kV Kadamba substation in Goa, the 145 kV "Blue Circuit Breaker" replaces conventional sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)—a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 24,300 times that of CO2—with a natural gas mixture of 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen.

Arc extinguishing is handled by hermetically sealed vacuum interrupter bottles rated for 40 kA short-circuit interruption, eliminating F-gas emissions and regulatory leak monitoring requirements entirely.

Tropical Resiliency and Low Lifecycle Operating Costs

The switchgear proved immune to tropical coastal humidity and corrosion during intensive pre-commissioning evaluations, requiring zero gas handling certifications for local utility crews.

The project demonstrates that India’s ambitious grid modernization roadmap can embrace clean-air transmission assets without compromising reliability.