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
In May and June 2024, we presented our potential alignment for the overhead line, alongside potential alternatives, in a series of public consultation events where we sought feedback on these proposals. We would like to thank all those who took the time to attend our in-person consultation events and provide valuable in person and written feedback. The feedback led us to carry out further investigations in some areas and consider some changes to our proposals, we’d like to thank stakeholders for their input which is integral to the development of these projects.
400kV Overhead Line Projects
Reports on Consultation
The Reports on Consultation (ROC) provides a summary of the feedback received in response to proposals for the overhead line, how this has been considered, and confirmation of the final alignment (Proposed Development) intended to be taken forward for planning consent. We aim to submit our application for the Proposed Development to the Energy Consents Unit of the Scottish Government in Spring 2025. The application will be submitted in line with the requirements of section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989. A copy of both the ROC and the Summary can be downloaded from the project website for the following projects:
The report on consultation for Kintore - Tealing 400kV Connection (TKUP) will be published later in the month.
Final Pre-Application (PAC) Alignment Consultation Events
We will shortly be hosting a series of public consultation feedback events for each project from 17 February until 6 March 2025. These events conclude the Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) process for the consent application that will be submitted under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.
During the events we will share our Proposed Alignment of the overhead lines, including details on how these were developed. We invite any interested stakeholders to attend these drop-in events, to discuss the plans and share final thoughts, ahead of the consent application later in 2025.
Please contact your local Community Liaison Manager if you have any questions about the Reports on Consultation or require any additional information on the consultation events. A full list of venues and dates planned for the events is below:
Substations
Following our pre application consultations for the new 400kV substations and HVDC converter stations earlier this year we are now finalising our planning submissions. We will submit each of these separately to the relevant local authority for consideration. Once submitted information will be available on the relevant project web pages.
Ground Investigation Works
Over the coming weeks and months, our project teams and contractors will continue to undertake walkover surveys and ground investigation works, to help inform the final stages of development relating to the alignment of new 400kV overhead lines across the Pathway to 2030 projects.
Ground investigations typically involve drilling boreholes and/or digging trial pits, allowing engineers to understand the engineering properties of the soil and rock beneath potential tower locations and their ability to support the structures. These assessments are a necessary step in any new developments.
Where more intrusive assessments are required, we will work to keep local disruption and environmental impacts to a minimum.
Our project teams will oversee the contractors’ works, who may employ specialist supervision from ecologists and archaeologists to ensure the works do not impact on local wildlife or archaeological assets.
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."
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