News facts
Nairobi, Kenya, 3-4 September 2024 – Kenya is leading the way as the first African and developing country globally to phase out sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), the most potent greenhouse gas with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 24,300, mostly used in electricity grids. This initiative is part of the Climate Technology Centre and Network's technical assistance project to develop an SF6 Phase-out roadmap, implement safe management practices and prepare pilot projects to reduce SF6 use and emissions.
To officially launch this initiative, a two-day project kick-off workshop was held in Nairobi in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute.
Around 30 participants, including representatives from government bodies, utility companies, environmental organizations, and other key stakeholders, gathered to discuss SF6's environmental impact, the need for mitigation, and the strategic importance of this project for Kenya. Presenters highlighted gaps in Kenya’s greenhouse gas inventories, specifically the lack of data on SF6 emissions and leakage rates, which are essential for effective policymaking, safe management and phase-out.
On the second day, key stakeholders who are part of the Project Steering Group (PSG) engaged in an in-depth discussion focused on project planning around data collection and capacity building followed by a site visit of a substation that has SF6-containing equipment installed.
“Kenya has the ambition to achieve 100 per cent renewable power by 2030 while ensuring universal access to electricity,” emphasized Eng. Thomas Karungu, the Head of Electrical Power Development in the State Department for Energy in Kenya “Considering the large grid extension plans of our country in the coming years, it is the right time to take deliberate action to forestall SF6 emissions.”
The project will first establish a national inventory of SF6, providing the foundation for continuous monitoring, verification, and enforcement (MV&E) procedures. This will facilitate the integration of F-gas in the country’s GHG emissions inventory and National Determined Contributions (NDCs). Based on this data, guidelines and training on the safe management of SF6-containing equipment will be provided. Additionally, a comprehensive SF6 Phase-out Roadmap will be developed, outlining clear timelines and regulatory measures to guide its gradual phase-out.
The implementation of pilot projects in the medium- and high-voltage segment is another critical component, as it will demonstrate the effectiveness of SF6-free technologies. These projects will generate valuable data and insights that will help support the broader adoption of these alternatives across Kenya’s electrical grid.
“Kenya is the first African and developing country globally to target a phase-out of SF6,” said Valentin Rudloff, Climate Technology Specialist at the UN Climate Technology Centre and Network. “This is setting a significant example for other nations, demonstrating leadership in adopting innovative and climate-friendly technologies.”
Momentum is growing to ban SF6 in the power industry. The European Union has committed to phasing out SF6-containing medium-voltage switchgear by 2030 and high-voltage switchgear using the gas by 2032. In the US, several states have proposed or adopted limits and phaseouts plans, while other countries have introduced monitoring and management requirements. At the same time, SF6-free technologies for medium and high-voltage applications are becoming widely available. Leading global suppliers are progressively extending their portfolios to include solutions across voltage levels.