Reflections from 2021

A blog from Rob McDonald, Managing Director for SSEN Transmission.

 

This year has been a huge year for Transmission. 

The hard work we talked about last year to pull our business plan together and secure the necessary investment from Ofgem has been followed by even harder work to deliver it and bring our RIIO-T2 plan to life.

Our teams have delivered another sensational performance despite the challenges faced this year.  Working through a global pandemic, our Transmission team has once again pulled together and went above and beyond for our customers and stakeholders.  We’re surrounded by team players and great people, which is a solid foundation to continue to build on as we journey through this new price control period.  We still have a long way to go in RIIO-T2 but I’m incredibly proud of the whole team and everything we’ve achieved. 

We’ve submitted Needs Cases to Ofgem to help strengthen the Transmission network across Scotland, including on Skye and the East Coast, with Argyll soon to follow.  These links are essential to alleviate constraints on the GB transmission system, enable growth in renewables and support the transition to net zero emissions.  It will also support hundreds of green jobs, playing a key role in the green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Being a principal partner of COP26 provided us the opportunity to present to a world stage our expertise and strategy to create a network for net zero, as well as learn, collaborate and share with others.

We’re making great strides in our commitment to deliver biodiversity net gain on all of our major projects, delivering a lasting legacy on Scotland’s most precious landscapes.  As the first network company to be accredited with a science-based emissions reduction target that is consistent with our pathway to net zero, we’re demonstrating how SSEN Transmission is leading the way to a climate resilient future for our people and planet.  

Our Shetland HVDC link continues to make great progress which will enable up to 600MW of clean renewable electricity to connect to the GB energy grid, connecting Shetland to the UK mainland for the first time. 

We’ve also seen some positive outcomes as we advocated for customers on reform of the current transmission charging regime, receiving external recognition for this as a nominee in the Champion of Renewables category at this year’s Scottish Green Energy Awards.

Looking forward

We proved this year that we are leaders in the transition to a low carbon future.  Our teams are playing a massive part in changing the world for the better and achieving our over-arching ambition and common goal to deliver a network for net zero.  The fact is that, while others talk, we are delivering it. And, we will show once again in 2022 that we are up for the challenge.

Take care, look after yourselves and stay safe this Christmas.