New technology helps unlock more capacity on north of Scotland electricity network
23 September 2026
- Dynamic line rating helps transmission operators make the most efficient use of existing electricity network
- Real value to consumers through reducing network constraint costs
SSEN Transmission has announced that dynamic line rating (DLR) has gone live on the electricity network north of Beauly – the first DLR-enabled circuit in the business’s north of Scotland transmission area.
A key benefit of DLR technology is that helps to reduce network constraint costs. These occur when the electricity network cannot carry all available power - meaning some generation, often renewable energy such as wind, must be reduced or switched off - with the costs ultimately met by electricity bill payers.
By identifying and delivering targeted engineering solutions, SSEN Transmission is minimising these constraints, while also investing in network upgrades to lower them further in the future.
In 2025/26, the business delivered nearly £300m savings for electricity consumers, driven by reduced constraint costs.
WATCH: Learn more about how dynamic line rating works to increase the amount of renewable energy that can be transmitted helping reduce network constraint costs
Dynamic line rating is a technology that helps transmission operators make the most efficient use of existing electricity network, by understanding how much power overhead lines can safely carry at any given time, and SSEN Transmission is leading the way in implementing it.
Over several months, the business has installed the technology across more than 300km of overhead transmission lines between Beauly and Dounreay as part of its north of Beauly DLR project, which is now fully operational.
Traditionally, transmission lines operate to fixed limits, when in reality weather conditions often mean more electricity can be carried safely. DLR technology uses real‑time environmental data, including temperature, wind speed, solar radiation, and cloud cover to calculate the true, live capacity of overhead lines. With DLR, for example, the cooling effect from high winds can be accounted for in real time to adjust circuit ratings up or down, enabling higher power flows.
Sensors installed on transmission lines monitor conditions and send information to specialist software, which calculates how much electricity the network can safely transport in real time. This information is shared with the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to help manage electricity flows across the network.
While network upgrading ultimately has the greatest impact in increasing capacity, DLR provides a boost to the grid that helps to maximise efficiency across the network.
Having achieved this milestone in DLR technology, SSEN Transmission is now working towards implementing live-line drone installation of the data-monitoring sensors, as the technology is introduced at other optimal locations on the network.
Dave McKay, Network Director, SSEN Transmission, said:
“This is a major milestone in SSEN Transmission’s delivery of innovation and efficiency in the electricity grid - the first DLR-enabled circuit on the transmission network in the north of Scotland.
"Making the best possible use of the existing network, alongside investing in grid upgrades, is helping us reduce costs for consumers while supporting Scotland's energy security and clean power ambitions."