Weather-led modelling could unlock safer assets and greater capacity on GB electricity network
14 April 2026
SSEN Transmission’s projects with the Met Office show how advanced use of climate and weather data can reduce over engineering, cut costs and maximise performance across the transmission system.
SSEN Transmission is demonstrating how the advanced use of weather and climate data can unlock greater capacity from Great Britain’s electricity transmission network, without compromising safety or resilience.
Working in partnership with the Met Office, we are delivering a suite of innovation projects that apply high-resolution meteorological data and advanced system modelling to address typical engineering challenges associated with upgrading existing transmission infrastructure. The Ice Mapping, Corrosion Mapping and REVISE projects show how modernising the design approach can ultimately support smarter investment decisions, deliver safer assets and encourage a more efficient use of existing infrastructure too.
One of the most advanced initiatives, Ice Mapping, has seen the development of a new, layered ice model that improves how ice risk is assessed during the development process for new overhead line projects. Ice build-up on transmission lines can pose operating risks from increased conductor sag, raising the risk of clearance infringements.
The new model replaces the traditional British Standard calculation for assessing the impact of ice across during the development phase by integrating Met Office datasets to reflect actual weather conditions experienced across different terrains and climates in the north of Scotland. This allows for a more proportionate and cost-effective design of assets, by minimising the need for tower modifications, while maintaining safety standards and system resilience.
On the Kintore to Dyce upgrade project, for example, this new design approach is estimated to have delivered a £30m saving. Across our current portfolio of planned projects, an estimated £125m worth of savings associated with the use of the ice mapping tool are now forecast. The innovative approach to project design will also help support faster delivery of new connections and improve safety for construction teams.
Alongside this, our corrosion mapping project has developed a high-resolution model which will assess the impact of corrosion on network assets, using weather data that reflects the local climate and geography of assets.
By incorporating detailed meteorological and topographical data, including coastal influence and local weather patterns, the model provides an accurate picture of asset exposure to corrosion, supporting better decisions on materials, construction‑ and maintenance.
The third project, REVISE, (Revisiting and Evaluating Environmental Inputs on Line Ratings), focuses on optimising overhead line ratings and aims to deliver a more accurate, future-ready approach to design, using high-‑resolution weather data and advanced modelling. The project seeks to increase network capacity, reduce operating costs and support smarter investment decisions across the transmission system.
REVISE is being delivered in collaboration with National Grid Electricity Transmission, SP Energy Networks, the National Energy System Operator, the Met Office, the University of Strathclyde and Energyline, and has recently been awarded £5.8m of funding through Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund, reflecting its potential benefits across the GB electricity system‑.
Alan Ritchie, Senior Manager of Innovation at SSEN Transmission said:
“Across all three innovative projects, a common theme is the smarter use of modern granular weather and climate data to tackle long standing engineering challenges. By designing assets based on the conditions they actually experience, rather than by making assumptions, we can improve safety, reduce unnecessary cost, and unlock more capacity from the network we already operate. This kind of innovation is critical as we connect more low carbon generation and work to meet the growing electricity demand.”
All three projects are funded through Ofgem’s innovation mechanisms and are designed to be scalable, with learning shared across the sector through the Energy Networks Association (ENA) Innovation Portal.
For more information on innovation projects being led by SSEN Transmission, visit the Energy Networks Association Innovation Portal Search Results | ENA Innovation Portal