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
"Our mission to deliver a network for net zero puts us at the forefront of sustainability. But it is really important that we deliver on our mission in a way that is fair and sustainable." We're committed to tackling climate change, restoring nature, leaving a positive legacy for communities, and growing our workforce in a way that is sustainable.
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Asset Management & Operations
Asset management is a key part of everything we do at Transmission. By coordinating our activities across Transmission, we can drive long-term, whole life value from our infrastructure assets for our customers and stakeholders. -
Innovation
Our innovation purpose is to deliver a reliable and resilient network safer, smarter, greener, and faster. We define innovation as the successful adoption of new ideas, technologies, and processes that can materially impact our strategic goals and deliver our vision.
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Our Projects
We are investing over £20bn to upgrade the network infrastructure across the north of Scotland between now and 2030 as the region plays a leading role in the clean energy transition. Explore our projects to find out more. -
Careers
We're on a mission to upgrade the network in the north of Scotland to bring cleaner energy to homes and businesses across the country. Joining SSEN Transmission is an opportunity to build a rewarding career. With hundreds of jobs available over the next 12 months, join us and help power change.
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Our Stakeholder Engagement
Being at the forefront of stakeholder engagement means actively listening to and collaborating with these diverse groups to understand their needs and concerns. This helps us build trust, make better decisions, and create value for everyone involved.
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Our Business Plan
We recently launched our RIIO-T3 Business Plan, which outlines our plans for April 2026 to March 2031, focusing on delivering a reliable, efficient transmission network and supporting the clean energy transition in the north of Scotland. -
Customer Connections
Making sure that generation developments can connect to our network is one of our primary responsibilities as the owner of the network in the north of Scotland and we have a huge job to do over the coming years to make sure that our network is capable of connecting the planned additional generation capacity. -
Recent News
Find out more about what we're doing and read the latest updates on our projects and work. Visit our dedicated News & Views section on our website to read the latest news.