Projects delivering a Network for Net Zero - Pathway to 2030

We are investing over £10bn 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.

As a mass transporter of renewable energy, the north of Scotland electricity transmission network has a major role to play in supporting delivery of Scotland and the UK’s 2030 net zero targets, connecting new onshore and offshore renewables generation and transporting the power generated to demand centres in the rest of Scotland and beyond.

This investment is critical to powering change and meeting Scotland and the UK’s renewable energy targets, accelerating our delivery to meet the 2030 offshore wind connection dates, known as the Pathway to 2030. This investment will also play a vital role in helping ensure our future energy security by using affordable, home-grown, low carbon electricity while providing significant economic and employment opportunities supporting 20,000 jobs across the UK, 9,000 of which will be in Scotland.

The projects include new overhead lines, substations and subsea links and are part of a major upgrade of the electricity transmission network across Great Britain. Explore this page to find out more about our Pathway to 2030 projects and view our useful frequently asked questions below.

What are the Pathway to 2030 projects and why are they needed?

Videos: Our role in delivering Net Zero and our Pathway to 2030 Projects

  • Our role in delivering Net Zero

    Click the play button to watch our video and to learn more about the work SSEN Transmission is doing to deliver Net Zero.

    This video can also be viewed directly on Vimeo.

    Duration: 2 minutes 29 Seconds.

  • Pathway to 2030 Projects

    Click the play button to watch our video and to learn more about our Pathway to 2030 Projects

    This video can also be viewed directly on Vimeo.

    Duration: 4 minutes 43 Seconds.

What we are doing now

We have recently started localised surveys, assessments and ground investigation works at various locations across the Pathway to 2030 projects which will be used to help gather information to inform the next stage of development for a major electricity transmission network upgrade in the north of Scotland.

Over the coming weeks and months, our project teams and contractors will undertake a series of site-specific assessments which include the likes of ground investigations, bird surveys, LiDAR flights, and ecological and archaeological walkovers and assessments.

The works are a key part of the project development process, and the results of these investigations will provide project teams with valuable information to help inform decisions regarding substation site selections and overhead line routes, which will be subject to further consultation in early 2024.

Surveys will prioritise sites and routes which performed the best based on our initial assessment of key environmental and people, technical, and economic factors. Please contact your local Community Liaison Manager if you have any questions.

Learn more about our Pathway to 2030 projects

  • North Highlands

    Spittal, Loch Buidhe, Beauly

    Projects within our North Highland region involve a new 400kV Substation at Spittal, a subsea cable between Spittal and Peterhead, and a new 400kV overhead line between Spittal and Beauly. New 400kV substations are also required at Loch Buidhe and Beauly to enable these connections. 

    Explore North Highlands projects

  • Central Highlands

    Beauly and onwards

    Projects within our Central Highland region centre around Beauly. These include a subsea cable from the Western Isles, a 400kV overhead line from Spittal and a new 400kV overhead line to Peterhead, and a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Converter station. These connect to a new 400kV substation close to the existing one in Beauly.

    Explore Central Highlands projects

  • North East

    Beauly, Blackhillock, New Deer, Peterhead

    Our North East region spans between Beauly and Peterhead and includes a new 400kV overhead line between these two locations alongside new 400kV substations at each end. Along the way, the line will also be connecting in to new 400kV substations needed at Blackhillock and New Deer.
    Explore North East projects

  • East Coast

    Peterhead, Kintore, Fiddes, Tealing

    Our East Coast works include a subsea link from Spittal connecting to a new 400kV substation at Peterhead and a new 400kV overhead line from Beauly. An HVDC switching station is also required at Peterhead, alongside 132kV and 275kV substation works. Further south, works include a new 400kV overhead line between Kintore and Tealing, new substations and line reconductoring.

    Explore East Coast projects

Thoughts from our Managing Director

"By enabling the growth in low carbon and affordable renewable electricity generation, this investment will help support the country’s future energy security, reducing our dependence and price exposure to volatile global wholesale gas markets. We now look forward to working closely with our stakeholders to progress the development of these critical national infrastructure projects and deliver the electricity transmission network required to meet our future energy ambitions."
Rob McDonald, Managing Director, SSEN Transmission

Sign up for 'Pathway to 2030' updates

Keep up to date on our 'Pathway to 2030' projects progress via email by providing your details and consent below.

We would like to send you relevant communications via email, such as invitations to stakeholder events, surveys, updates on projects and future developments. If you are happy to receive email updates, please opt-in by ticking the box. You can unsubscribe at any time by contacting us at unsubscribe@ssen.co.uk, or by clicking the 'unsubscribe' link which will be at the end of each of our emails.

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Delivering a network for net zero

Search for a project

Explore our interactive map or use our easy-to-use Project Search to locate a project that is of interest to you. Our dedicated project web pages provide useful information about each of our projects, important documentation and contact details for our Community Liaison Managers.
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