Case Study: EEC Engie achieves an SF6-free, zero‑carbon smart substation and improved reliability with Schneider Electric

How EcoStruxure™ for Electricity Companies supports an electric distribution utility with a zero-carbon ambition

EEC Engie, the electric distribution utility in Nouméa, New Caledonia serving more than 65,000 customers and part of the Engie Group, sought to meet a zero‑carbon ambition by removing SF6 gas from its medium‑voltage network—a critical need for this remote island operator with no local SF6 recycling. To achieve this, EEC Engie partnered with Schneider Electric and deployed EcoStruxure for Electricity Companies components including AirSeT SF6‑free MV switchgear, Minera connected MV/LV transformers (using biodegradable vegetable oil), and Easergy T300 RTU and TH110 sensors.

Schneider Electric delivered a plug‑and‑play green, smart substation that eliminated SF6 use while keeping the same footprint and operational procedures; the AirSeT switchgear (pure‑air insulation and vacuum interruption) plus Minera transformer and Easergy digital tools enabled remote monitoring, faster fault detection, and improved SAIDI, cybersecurity and overall reliability. The solution reduced implementation time, avoided infrastructure modification costs, and gave EEC Engie a fully green, digital system that supports its ISO‑certified sustainability goals—demonstrating Schneider Electric’s SF6‑free technology in a challenging island context.

EEC Engie

Dominique Roecker

Purchasing Manager of the Energy Division