Investment across the north of Scotland shows how electrification can support resilient grids, jobs and industrial growth.
SSE has backed COP31’s drive to accelerate global electrification as it approaches a major milestone in building the resilient electricity infrastructure needed to deliver it.
Since 2020, SSE’s electricity transmission business, SSEN Transmission, has invested around £8bn in upgrading the network across the north of Scotland. This is connecting more homegrown renewable electricity while supporting significant growth in jobs, skills and manufacturing.
Over the same period, the amount of renewable generation connected to the network has increased from around 6.3GW to 10.8GW, while reliability has remained at 99.999%.
COP31’s 35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge aims to increase electricity’s share of final energy consumption to 35% by 2035. Meeting that ambition will require greater electrification of transport, buildings and industry, supported by modern, resilient grids and greater flexibility across the electricity system.
SSE is backing the pledge and highlighting its progress in the north of Scotland as an example of what delivery can look like in practice.
Approaching the £8bn investment milestone shows how sustained investment in electricity networks can connect growing volumes of homegrown renewable power, strengthen energy security and create opportunities for workers and supply chains.
Across the north of Scotland, major grid projects are moving into construction, the workforce is expanding and new manufacturing capacity is being created through the push for clean power.
Using innovation to make more of the existing network
Investment is being matched by innovation to make better use of the existing electricity network.
At Kintore in Aberdeenshire, SSEN Transmission has achieved a UK first by using a drone to install Dynamic Line Rating technology on a live transmission line.
The technology uses real-time conditions to safely increase the amount of electricity that can flow through existing infrastructure. This can help connect more renewable power and reduce constraint costs for consumers.
Martin Pibworth, Chief Executive of SSE plc, said:
'COP31 has set an important ambition on electrification. The exciting thing is that we’re already seeing what delivering it looks like.
'Look at the north of Scotland. Since 2020, we’ve invested around £8bn in the transmission network. From Eastern Green Link 2 and the Netherton Hub near Peterhead, to connecting all three of Scotland’s remote island groups and Sumitomo Electric’s new subsea cable factory at Nigg, investment in electricity infrastructure is translating into real projects, jobs and industrial capability, driving economic growth across the UK.
'Our experience shows how clear policy direction can translate into impact in the real world and that is why the focus at COP on electrification is so important. And we’re only getting started. Investment in low-cost clean power, grids, skills, industry and electrification can strengthen energy security, drive economic growth and make energy more affordable.'
Supporting economic growth and opportunity
Investment in the transmission network is also helping to build the workforce and supply chains needed for electrification.
SSEN Transmission has grown from around 700 employees in 2020 to more than 3,000 today, alongside growing demand for new skills and manufacturing capacity
In October, Sumitomo Electric opened a £350m subsea cable manufacturing facility at Nigg in the Highlands
SSEN Transmission has launched an eight-year supply chain framework worth up to £7.4bn, structured to create opportunities for major contractors, SMEs and locally based businesses
These investments demonstrate the wider economic opportunity that can come from giving supply chains long-term confidence in demand for electricity infrastructure.
Through its current £29bn Pathway to 2030 programme, SSEN Transmission estimates that its investment could support up to 50,000 UK jobs. This includes 10,000 jobs in the north of Scotland and 24,000 across Scotland, alongside major opportunities for businesses in engineering, construction and wider local supply chains.
Source: SSE
