SSEN Transmission invests £10bn into networks to enable 11GW wind connection
Power Engineering International
Posted on: 15 June 2023
SSEN Transmission will invest £10 bn into the transmission network across the north of Scotland| to enable connection of up to 11GW of new offshore wind capacity.
SSEN Transmission has committed to investing £10 billion ($13 billion) into the transmission network across the north of Scotland, to enable connection of up to 11GW of new offshore wind capacity through ScotWind projects.
Known as the ‘Pathway to 2030 programme’, the company’s investment in the north of Scotland will enable the connection of over one fifth of the UK Government’s 50GW 2030 offshore wind goal.
The projects include several new onshore reinforcements and subsea links and are part of a major upgrade of the electricity transmission network across Great Britain that is required to meet UK and Scottish Government climate change and energy security targets.
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SSEN Transmission’s projects will aid in the building of the transmission infrastructure necessary to transport renewable energy from the north of Scotland to demand centers further south. This investment will also boost grid capacity to enable the first phase of ScotWind projects to connect to the GB grid.
UK Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, Graham Stuart, said: "SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030 programme is a significant investment into the future of Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
"This is a £6.2 billion economic boost for the UK which will deliver long-term and well-paid jobs whilst helping Britain achieve home grown energy security and an electricity network fit for the future.”
Energy Secretary Neil Gray said: “As our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition sets out, we need to invest in our grid infrastructure if we are to enable the full utilisation of current renewable generation, and to realise the enormous potential of further deployment.
“This report highlights the significant opportunities that such investment in our grid infrastructure will bring for our workforce, our supply chain, and our regional and national economies. I look forward to the SSEN Transmission Pathway to 2030 Programme progressing at pace to help realise the ambition set out in our draft Energy Strategy and deliver a fair and just energy transition in what is a decisive decade for action."
