The independent National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) ‘Pathway to 2030’ published in 2022 outlined an electricity network design called the Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design (the HND).  The HND outlined the network needed to connect some 23 GW of offshore wind power by 2030.  The HND programme only gets Great Britain so far in its journey towards NZ, including the target outlined in the British Energy Security Strategy of 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030.  So, in March 2024, the NESO published its 'Beyond 2030' report, responding to the government’s request to build on the HND design to connect more offshore wind. The resulting so called HND ‘follow up exercise’ in Beyond 2030 therefore includes additional network upgrades and new capacity to connect a further 21 GW of offshore wind.  

For the north of Scotland, Beyond 2030 included the next phase of ScotWind and confirmed the need for several new, replacement and upgraded transmission projects to be delivered by 2035, representing a potential investment of over £5 billion for SSEN Transmission. These projects are essential to: 

- Enable additional ScotWind connections. 
- Support the deployment of homegrown, low-carbon electricity. 
- Strengthen the UK’s energy security and progress toward net zero. 

The network projects identified in the ‘Pathway to 2030’ are already progressing and focus on delivering infrastructure to meet 2030 targets, including the connection of ScotWind’s first phase. In contrast, Beyond 2030 identifies additional projects – and the report defined the need for these projects and so support the progression and development of these additional network projects.  

Both plans are part of a coordinated national strategy to ensure the transmission system remains resilient, scalable, and future-ready.  The Pathway to 2030 identifies the infrastructure needed now and Beyond 2030 that needed to keep GB on a Net Zero trajectory.   

More infrastructure may be required beyond this. The Beyond 2030 report is a transitional design ahead of the Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP), expected in late 2027. This next phase will formalise long-term infrastructure priorities across the UK. 
 
In the north of Scotland, Beyond 2030 confirms the need for several major projects (detailed above) to proceed now for delivery by 2035, including: 
- A second HVDC subsea link from Shetland. 
- New and upgraded 400kV circuits and substations across The Highlands, Aberdeenshire, and Moray. 
- Upgrades to existing 132kV infrastructure. 
 
In December 2024, Ofgem approved the next phase of regulatory funding, allowing SSEN Transmission to begin development activities for these projects. Final delivery will be subject to: 
- Confirmation of SSEN Transmission as the Delivery Body. 
- Planning consent and environmental assessments. 
- Extensive public consultation, ensuring stakeholder views shape project development. 

The Beyond 2030 projects in the north of Scotland represent a potential investment of over £5 billion by 2035. We recognise the importance of ensuring that this investment delivers tangible benefits for local communities, including: 

- Job creation and skills development, particularly in rural and coastal areas. 
- Community benefit schemes linked to major infrastructure projects. 
- Opportunities for local suppliers and contractors to participate in delivery. 
- Environmental stewardship, including mitigation of visual and ecological impacts.