Lucy Group acquires Nuventura to expand into primary SF6-free switchgear

UK-based Lucy Group has completed the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Nuventura GmbH, a Germany-based developer of primary SF6-free switchgear for the electricity energy sector.

Founded in Berlin in 2017, Nuventura brought to market the world’s first 36kV dry air GIS and has since developed a 24kV version for medium voltage applications. 

Now, with the acquisition, Nuventura will become part of Lucy Electric, Lucy Group’s low- and medium-voltage power distribution business unit. 

By joining Lucy Electric, Nuventura gains access to a strong global footprint, established customer relationships, and industrial scale — enabling faster deployment of its technology across utilities, renewable energy projects, and industrial applications worldwide.

Lucy Electric exclusive: 
Smarter switchgear for a renewable and resilient Europe

Nuventura says the milestone marked a significant step in scaling the adoption of SF6-free primary switchgear at a time when the industry is undergoing rapid transformation. 

Indeed, SF6 has long been the industry standard for Gas insulated Switchgear, but with new regulations coming into force across Europe from 2026 - namely an F-gases ban for switchgear up to 24 kV, extending to 24-52 kV by 2030 - the shift to SF6-free alternatives has been accelerating.

At the same time, says Lucy Group in a release, three major forces are reshaping the electric energy sector: decentralisation, decarbonisation and digitalisation. The company says these are creating an opportunity to modernise how electricity networks are built and operated.

The company cites Nuventura’s unique, patented SF6-free technology that includes circuit breaker and three position disconnector design, which is optimised for SF6-free applications up to 36kV. While being compact, it maintains connectivity under zero overpressure conditions.

Nuventura’s patented dry-air GIS technology is specifically engineered for SF6-free operation, including an optimised circuit breaker and three-position disconnector design. 

John Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer of Lucy Electric, said: “In 2024, Lucy Electric was crowned Utility Partner of the Year for our ongoing collaboration with UKPN on developing the UK’s first MV 12kV SF6-free Ring Main Unit. 

“Nuventura will extend our expertise into primary switchgear, further paving the way for grid operators to reduce their infrastructure emissions as part of delivering net zero ambitions.”

Manjunath Ramesh, Joint Managing Director & Chief Technology Officer of Nuventura, said: “The switchgear market is undergoing the most fundamental technology shift for decades. 

“Becoming part of Lucy Electric marks the next chapter in our growth and will enable us to scale up and offer a broader range of high-quality, environmentally friendly solutions to suit a host of industry applications across the globe.”

More on SF6-free switchgear:
SP Energy Networks installs UK’s first SF6-free switchgear
First emission free 420kV GIS based on clean air insulation and vacuum switching
Why switchgear is becoming increasingly strategic for Europe's energy sector

Transitioning from SF6

The move away from SF6 has been a key strategy point for Lucy Electric in recent years. 

SP Energy Networks just last year announced they energised SF6-free switchgear from the company, which they said at the time was the UK's first. A year prior to that, Lucy Electric also launched the UK’s first ring main unit (RMU) for medium voltage networks using synthetic air.

And Lucy Group isn't the only one to do so.

Europe’s energy sector is rapidly moving away from SF6-insulated medium voltage equipment, with other partnerships and announcements made in the lead-up to the gas ban in the EU since the beginning of 2026.

For example, Enedis and ABB partnered on SF6-free switchgear and Norwegian TSO Statnett built four new 420kV stations without the gas, calling it a first for Scandinavia. 

In an exclusive on Enlit World, Andrea Estrada-Hein of ABB said that Europe’s prohibition of SF6 is not simply the ban of a gas, but a pivotal moment in how Europe modernises and strengthens its electrical infrastructure for decades to come. 

"The SF6-free transition is not only about replacing one technology with another. It’s about strengthening the foundations of grid resilience and ensuring that the decisions made today impact the grid’s evolution positively."