GE Vernova Inc. has announced the forthcoming deployment of two high-voltage 420kV SF6-free gas-insulated substations (GIS) for Statnett SF, Norway’s transmission system operator (TSO), and Equinor ASA.
Awarded in the fourth quarter of last year, the contract covers the design, supply, and installation of GIS units at Skaidi and Hyggevatn as part of Statnett’s 420kV transmission line project—an important milestone supporting Norway’s energy transition and decarbonization effort.
The Skaidi substation involves upgrading the existing facility, while the Hyggevatn substation will be a completely new installation. The two substations are expected to become operational by 2029.
Together, they aim to modernize Norway’s electrical grid, increase capacity, and electrify Melkøya Island, home to Equinor’s Snøhvit gas field and Hammerfest LNG plant. This initiative aligns with Statnett’s and Equinor’s commitment to achieving a sustainable energy transition while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
GE Vernova has a track record of successful GIS Substations in Norway, including in Oslo Smestad, Sogn, and Hamang.
g³ technology
The design of these next-generation substations will be based on GE Vernova’s g³ technology, which replaces SF₆ gas, a potent greenhouse gas commonly used in high-voltage equipment. The g³ technology is part of GE Vernova’s GRiDEA portfolio, a suite of decarbonization solutions that empower grid operators to meet their net-zero objectives. Launched in 2014, g³ gas shows an approximately 99% reduction in greenhouse gas contribution to global warming compared to SF₆, supporting the energy sector’s decarbonization goals.
GE Vernova’s g³ technology roadmap covers a wide range of voltage levels, from 72.5kV up to 550kV. The EU Commission LIFE Programme recognized the potential of this innovative technology by co-funding the development of the SF₆-free 420kV GIS interrupter under the “LifeGRID” project. The g³ technology is now enabling utilities to take immediate action to reduce the carbon footprint of their high-voltage power grids, supporting their decarbonization goals.
