Schneider Electric and BRPL deploy India’s first SF6-free smart grid pilot in Delhi
Schneider Electric and BRPL deployed India’s first RM AirSeT SF6-free ring main unit in Delhi, cutting an estimated 75 tons of CO2e in the capex phase.
Photo by Petr Ganaj on Pexels
Schneider Electric has partnered with BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL) to deploy what the companies describe as India’s first RM AirSeT 12kV Indoor Ring Main Unit (RMU) pilot, integrated with a T300 Field Remote Terminal Unit (FRTU) for remote monitoring, T&D India reported on August 4, 2026. The SF6-free smart grid deployment replaces conventional gas-insulated switchgear, which relies on sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), with a “pure air” insulation design.
Schneider Electric said in the release that eliminating SF6 gas in favor of pure air insulation cuts an estimated 75 tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions during the capex phase alone. SF6 is a synthetic gas commonly used to insulate medium- and high-voltage electrical equipment; independent estimates put its global warming potential at roughly 23,500 times that of carbon dioxide over 100 years, with an atmospheric lifetime of about 3,200 years, though that context figure does not come from the Schneider Electric or T&D India release itself.
Why BRPL chose an SF6-free grid unit for Delhi
Delhi’s peak power demand is projected to cross 9,000 MW as urbanization and cooling demand rise, according to the release, prompting BRPL to evaluate medium-voltage switchgear technologies that reduce environmental impact while improving reliability and network visibility. The deployed RM AirSeT unit is rated at 12kV and integrates with BRPL’s SCADA network through the T300 FRTU, enabling remote monitoring and control alongside embedded smart sensors.
“India’s power sector is entering a new phase of transformation where sustainability must become an integral part of every infrastructure decision,” said Deepak Sharma, Zone President – Greater India, and Managing Director and CEO of Schneider Electric India, in the release. “This collaboration with BRPL reflects the kind of forward-looking action that will help shape the future of India’s energy infrastructure.”
| SF6-free RM AirSeT deployment | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | RM AirSeT 12kV Indoor Ring Main Unit |
| Insulation | Pure air (replaces SF6 gas) |
| Integration | T300 Field Remote Terminal Unit, linked to BRPL’s SCADA network |
| Estimated emissions cut | 75 tons of CO2-equivalent during the capex phase |
| Utility | BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL), Delhi |
| Sourcing | First Indian deployment using RMUs from Schneider’s SBMV global plant |
| FRTU integration site | Schneider Electric’s MVI plant, India |
| Team training | Schneider Electric’s AMT plant, Hungary |
Source: T&D India, August 4, 2026.
The RM AirSeT units used in the BRPL pilot were sourced from Schneider Electric’s SBMV global plant for the first time in India, while FRTU integration was carried out at the company’s MVI plant in India; Indian teams received specialized training at Schneider’s AMT plant in Hungary to support the rollout, according to T&D India. The release states the pilot is expected to serve as a reference for wider adoption of SF6-free medium-voltage switchgear across India’s utility sector.
The deployment adds to a run of grid-technology moves by Schneider Electric in 2026, including its $350 million acquisition of grid-resilience startup AiDASH disclosed in July, and follows broader momentum in Indian grid and clean-energy infrastructure that Winss has tracked, including 1,344 MW of pumped hydro and India’s first flow battery awards and the country’s 162.15 GW of installed solar capacity.
About BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd
BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL) is one of the electricity distribution utilities serving Delhi, operating within the Delhi power distribution framework alongside sister utility BSES Yamuna Power Ltd. BRPL supplies power across parts of south and west Delhi and has been evaluating switchgear technologies that cut environmental impact while improving grid reliability and visibility, according to the August 2026 release. The RM AirSeT pilot with Schneider Electric is BRPL’s first deployment of SF6-free indoor ring main units in the city, positioned as a reference project for wider rollout as Delhi’s peak demand is projected to keep rising.
Sources: T&D India; IndianWeb2
Featured image: photo by Petr Ganaj on Pexels (free Pexels license).
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I specialize in sustainability education, curriculum co-creation, and early-stage project strategy. At WINSS, I craft articles on sustainability, transformative AI, and related topics. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me chasing the perfect sushi roll, exploring cities around the globe, or unwinding with my dog Puffy — the world’s most loyal sidekick.
