About Us
We are SSEN Transmission, the trading name for Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission.
We are responsible for the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland, maintaining and investing in the high voltage 132kV, 220kV, 275kV and 400kV electricity transmission network.
Our network consists of underground and subsea cables, overhead lines on 
wooden poles or steel towers, and electricity substations. It extends over a quarter of the UK’s land mass, crossing some of its most challenging terrain.
Our first priority is to provide a safe and reliable supply of electricity to our communities. We do this by taking the electricity from generators and transporting it at high voltages over long distances through our transmission network for onwards distribution to homes and businesses in villages, towns and cities.
Our operating area is home to vast renewable energy resources and this is being harnessed by wind, hydro and marine generation. Working closely with National Grid, the GB transmission System Operator, we also enable these electricity generators to connect to the transmission system by providing their connections and allowing the electricity generated by them to be transported to areas of demand across the country.
Scotland’s transmission network has a strategic role to play in supporting delivery of the UK and Scotland’s Net Zero targets. We’re already a mass exporter of renewable energy, with around two thirds of power generated in our network area exported to demand centres further south. By 2050, the north of Scotland is expected to need 40GW of low carbon energy capacity to support net zero delivery. For context, we currently have over 9GW of renewable generation connected in the north of Scotland.
As a natural monopoly, we are closely regulated by the GB energy regulator, Ofgem, who determines how much revenue we are allowed to earn for constructing, maintaining and renovating our transmission network in the north of Scotland. These costs are shared between all those using the transmission system, including generation developers and electricity consumers.
Following a minority stake sale which completed in November 2022, we are now owned 75% by SSE plc and 25% by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board.
As a stakeholder-led business, SSEN Transmission is committed to inclusive stakeholder engagement, and we conduct this at an ‘Advanced’ level as assessed by AccountAbility, the international consulting and standards firm.
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Sustainability and Environment
Learn more about how SSEN Transmission is leading on sustainability and protecting our environment.
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Whole System
Taking a whole system approach in our network design, future planning and project delivery means that we take a wide look at all of these wider elements and systems of the energy industry to understand how they are related, and how they influence one another.
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Innovation
Innovation is key to helping us find new ways to overcome challenges to ensure security of supply and value for money as Britain moves to a low carbon economy.
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Safety
SSEN Transmission’s first priority is to provide a safe and reliable supply of electricity. Find out how to report an emergency or dangerous situation, request support withyour upcoming works near our transmission network assets or source maps for any cables nearby.
Our Events
We hold in-person and virtual events right throughout the year. We actively seek feedback from our stakeholders to inform our plans and project proposals, and we welcome your participation at our events.
Learn more about us, our critical work and how we are delivering our Network for Net Zero.
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Customer connections
Making sure that generation developments can connect to our network is one of our primary responsibilities as the owner of the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland. We have a huge job to do over the coming years to make sure that our network is capable of connecting planned additional generation capacity.
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Our Stakeholder Engagement
SSEN Transmission is a stakeholder-led business that engages with its stakeholders at an ‘Advanced’ level as assessed by AccountAbility, the international consulting and standards firm.
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Our Projects
View and learn more about the projects we currently have underway and associated events using our project map and search. Our projects include works to reinforce our existing transmission network, construct new overhead lines, lay new sub-sea cables and increase the capacity of our substations to accommodate new renewable generation schemes, as we move away from fossil fuels towards our net zero future.
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Life at SSEN Transmission
We take a strategic approach to creating an inclusive workforce. Our culture encourages everyone to be themselves – no matter what their background is. And no matter what, safety is at the heart of everything we do, and we live by the mantra ‘if it’s not safe, we don’t do it’.
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Our Business Plan
SSEN Transmission is currently delivering against the commitments set out in its approved RIIO-T2 Business Plan.
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Asset Management
We operate a safe, reliable and efficient network, maintaining the highest industry standard for asset management through our certification to the BS ISO 55001 standard. We are now working to become world class in asset management.
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Digital
Our approach to engaging with and serving our stakeholders and customers is both human and digital. Our Digital Vision is to be a leading digitalised utility, where all of our customers, stakeholders and employees are able to access the data they need, when they need it.
Our brand - Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
In this short video, we tell our story. Proud of our past, prepared for the future. We’re powering our community.