Our Plan for the RIIO-T3 Period
The Pathway to 2030
SSEN Transmission is the owner and operator of the high voltage electricity transmission system for the north of Scotland and islands.
We have a legal obligation to develop the grid in an economic, efficient and co-ordinated way. Our plans to do so must be scrutinised and approved by the energy industry regulator, Ofgem.
Ofgem makes sure, on behalf of all bill payers, that our plans are justified and that the cost is fair. It sets the rules for doing this every five years through a price control.
RIIO-T3 is the price control for the period from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031 and our RIIO-T3 Business Plan sets out what we hope to do, and why we hope to do it, during that period of time.
-
Our RIIO-T3 Business Plan
Our RIIO-T3 Business Plan outlines our plans for April 2026 to March 2031, focusing on delivering a reliable, efficient transmission network and supporting the clean energy transition in the north of Scotland. -
Our Pathway to 2030 Projects
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.
Our 2030 Goals - Delivering a Network for Net Zero
Our 2030 ambitions focus on driving the clean energy transition, delivering a reliable and efficient network, and creating lasting benefits for communities, the economy, and the environment.
-
Reliable Energy
Drive investment in the energy transition that delivers transformative lasting benefits for local communities, our economy and nature.
A just energy transition will be inclusive and equitable - with people's needs at the centre - seeking to minimise negative impacts and maximise opportunities. Based on an objective materiality assessment, we have set specific targets that we will report on our annual sustainability report. -
Clean Power
Our network will have the capability to meet 20% of the GB demand for clean power
National clean power pathways forecast that low and zero carbon generation in the north of Scotland will contribute around one-fifth of clean power by 2030. Our goal is to deliver the necesary transmission infrastructure to make that happen. We will measure our progress by tracking our power transfer capability at our sotuhern network boundary. -
Our Legacy
Zero interruptions in electricity supply to homes and businesses due to our network.
Our aim is to 'keep the lights on' for electricity consumers across the north of Scotland and beyond. We measure our success using the nationally agreed metric incentivised loss of supply. Even when taking all cost-effective steps to prevent interruptions rare events will occur.
Building resilience reduces vulnerability
Reliable Energy
There are around 800,000 end consumers and businesses in the north of Scotland that expect a reliable electricity supply to be able go about their daily lives. Our directly connected generators need availability to the network to be able to transport their power to those end consumers.
As we grow the grid on the Pathway to 2030, we will also invest in the resilience of the network to ensure it is resistant to threats. Our RIIO-T3 Plan has four drivers:
- Manage our existing network by replacing or refurbishing equipment at the end of its economic operational life.
- Strengthen our operational resilience to accommodate network growth and respond to climate change with a focus on training and developing the workforce of the future.
- Modernise our field operations and maintenance by using new integrated data and digital tools.
The track record of the reliability of the north of Scotland transmission system is exceptional. However, as threats increase and our dependence on electricity grows, sustained effort is required to maintain the service that network users expect.
There can be no transition without transmission
Clean Power
The north of Scotland has vast renewable energy resource. The transmission system provides the means to unlock this resource for the rest of the country, transporting clean power to households, businesses and communities across GB and beyond.
Today there is just over 10 GW of renewable generation operating in the north of Scotland – producing enough clean power for [15%] of the national demand.
The Pathway to 2030 requires the amount of renewable generation in the north of Scotland to more than double. This will be a mixture of onshore and offshore wind, along with hydro, solar and flexibility service providers such as batteries.
Our RIIO-T3 Plan seeks to grow the grid to allow for this growth in renewable generation.
A just energy transition
Our Legacy
The unprecedented pace and scale of network expansion during the energy transition will have impacts – both positive and negative – on communities hosting our infrastructure, on the natural environment, and on the climate. By being intentional in our actions, we strive to leave a positive legacy on the Pathway to 2030, for people, the environment, the economy, and our wider world.
Our Sustainability Strategy sets out how we will build on our strong foundations in tackling climate change, protecting and restoring nature, and engaging with communities. Coupled with a focus on people, procurement, and our performance, our strategy describes world-leading sustainability practices for a just energy transition.
Our RIIO-T3 Plan for Our Legacy
-
Climate
Urgent action is needed to address the climate crisis. We are already playing a vital role in decarbonising the national energy system, connecting renewable energy to our network to power growing demand for clean electricity. Enabling decarbonisation is our most material topic and the area where we can and do have the greatest impacts.
-
Nature
We are privileged to operate in the unique natural environment of the north of Scotland and its islands, and this has motivated our ambition to protect biodiversity and restore nature. Our approach is aligned with global best practice and supporting international goals such as the Global Biodiversity Framework.
-
Communities
The communities of the north of Scotland are at the heart of our ambition for 2030. As we saw with the first renewable electricity revolution in the 1950s, the investment in the energy transition is an opportunity for people and communities to thrive and realise a lasting legacy in jobs, inward investment and community regeneration. We are committed to make that happen.