News facts
Berlin, July 5-7, 2023 – the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) and the National Designated Entity (NDE) of Germany, hosted a three-day learning exchange on Technologies for Decarbonization of Electrical Transmission and Distribution Grids through F-gas Regulations and Policies, together with the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
About 40 participants, including stakeholders from energy ministries or utilities from 11 developing countries from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbeans, and Asia and the Pacific, particularly Chile, Mexico, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Egypt, Lebanon, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam, and Senegal, as well as representatives from technology providers, environmental and financial institutions and others, gathered together to discuss the harmful climate impacts of SF6, accurate SF6 usage reporting, and enhancing understanding of available SF6-free technologies in the market.
This event aimed to “bridge the knowledge divide” and empower stakeholders to “make informed decisions regarding their complete energy system value chain,” noted Dietram Oppelt, Advisor in the implementing office of the National Designated Entity (NDE) of Germany.
During the event, participants had the opportunity to learn about the European Union’s and the United States’ best practices on F-gas regulation and enforcement. The insightful sessions offered a comprehensive overview and understanding of effective strategies for managing F-gas emissions and facilitating an essential step towards a more sustainable energy future.
“Achieving a NetZero-SF6-free future requires innovative support packages for the SF6-free club. By collaborating, learning, and working together, we can accelerate sustainable technologies and create a cleaner, more environmentally friendly, energy environment,” Oppelt concluded.
The participants highlighted “significant deficiencies” in addressing SF6 in their respective countries compared to EU and US best practices, and expressed concerns about the lack of awareness, environmental impact, reporting obligations, and the urgency to integrate SF6 regulations into NDCs and Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS).
As part of the programme, participants visited the technology facilities at Siemens AG, Siemens Energy, and Nuventura to learn more about innovations in SF6-free switchgear.
Working together with the NDE of Germany, and financing actors, the CTCN expects multiple follow-up projects to address the identified bottlenecks during this event in the uptake of F-gas-free technologies, including the development of national inventory or reporting systems, formation of stakeholder alliance groups for raising awareness on SF6, a cost-benefit analysis of available options and installation of testbeds.
Given the complexity and urgency of system transformation, the CTCN is working together with countries to accelerate progress towards a resilient and clean energy system by creating a series of learning exchange events involving NDEs, public institutions, NGOs, and the finance and private sector, as part of its third Programme of Work for 2023-2027.