Projects delivering a Network for Net Zero - Pathway to 2030
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.
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
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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
Throughout late February and March 2024, we will be holding public events at key locations along the Pathway to 2030 projects, including:
- Formal pre-application consultation for new substations
- Formal consultation on new overhead line routes proposed in the Report on Consultations
- Updates on proposed overhead line routes.
As part of the legally required Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) process for major developments, Proposal of Application Notices (PANs) to Planning Authorities, Community Councils and local elected members started to be issued in late January 2024. These mark the start of our planning process and provide details of the two consultation events to be held prior to submission of planning applications for each our proposed new substations.
The PAC events will set out our proposed designs, including indicative landscape screening and illustrative overhead line and cable connections. 3D modelling will be available to provide visualisations of the substations and overhead lines within their local setting. We will be seeking formal feedback to help inform ongoing design development.
In advance of consulting on the alignment stage for overhead line routes later this year, we will also be providing information updates on overhead line routes at the PAC events and at numerous locations along the project routes. These events are for information sharing and we welcome comments which will be used to inform the development of alignment options.
Details of the next round of engagement events, including locations, dates and timings will be available on the project pages and on our events page. Please contact your local Community Liaison Manager if you have any questions.
Learn more about our Pathway to 2030 projects
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North Highlands
Spittal, Loch Buidhe, Beauly
Projects within our North Highland region involve a new 400kV Substation in the Spittal area, 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 the Beauly area to enable these connections.
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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.
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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. -
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.
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."
Delivering a network for net zero
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