Schneider accelerates adoption of SM Airset Switchgear across East Africa

According to the company, the technology offers an important option to organisations transitioning to low-carbon electrical networks without compromising safety or performance. 

It uses pure air instead of sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆). a greenhouse gas (GHG) with 24,300 times the global warming potential of CO₂.

The AirSeT range was also recently recognised by the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders as a champion in the Scope 3 Downstream Solutions – Sustainable Design category. 

“The strong adoption of SM AirSeT across East Africa reflects the region’s commitment to sustainable growth,” says Symphrose Ochieng, Infrastructure Segment & Power Systems Business Leader at Schneider Electric East Africa. 

“From utilities expanding medium-voltage networks to data centres powering the digital economy, and from manufacturing plants to critical infrastructure like airports and seaports, this means our customers can deploy world-class medium-voltage equipment that aligns with global climate commitments and emerging regulatory frameworks,” Ochieng added. 

The adoption of SF₆-free technologies is expected to play a critical role in supporting the region’s energy transition while maintaining the reliability and resilience required for economic growth. 

As East Africa continues to expand and modernize its power infrastructure, the shift away from SF₆ signals a broader commitment to balancing technological advancement with environmental responsibility—positioning the region to participate more actively in the global transition toward cleaner energy systems.