Taking a whole system approach to Net Zero: SSEN Transmission publishes Whole System Annual Report 2022

A Whole System Approach

SSEN Transmission– the electricity transmission owner for the north of Scotland and part of the SSE Group, the UK’s clean energy champion - has today published its Whole System Annual Report for 2022, outlining progress to date in delivering a whole system strategy, and creating value for our customers, stakeholders and communities as we deliver an innovative, collaborative and efficient network for net zero.

As the operator of the transmission network in the north of Scotland, our strategic objective is to connect the renewable energy that is needed to meet the UK and Scottish Government’s carbon emissions reduction, and renewable energy targets. Our approach is spearheaded by a stakeholder-led strategy; underpinned by a whole system approach to network development, construction and operation to efficiently meet current and future customer’s needs.

To update on our progress in delivering on our value and stakeholder led objectives, we’ve published our Whole System Annual Report for 2022, which provides a snapshot of our whole system activities to date as we invest in the north of Scotland Transmission network. Our findings show that there is a lot of value to our stakeholders in taking a whole system approach to network investment planning and we detail these benefits in the report.

Andrew Urquhart, Head of Whole System at SSEN Transmission, states: “Taking a whole system approach means that we take a wide look at all the elements and systems of the energy industry to understand how they are related, and how they influence one another. This enables us to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and find innovative and efficient network solutions as we deliver a network for net zero.

“For years, the energy industry has worked in silos, led by the industry’s longstanding structures, regulations and ways of working which were developed a long time ago for a different energy system. But getting to Net Zero will require us disrupting these norms and doing things differently to benefit customers, communities and consumers.

“For us, whole system is about creating value, from our RIIO-T2 commitment to deliver a customer value proposition of £350 million, to providing timely cost-effective whole system solutions to ensure national net zero emissions are met. However, we can’t fully deliver this value without the support and feedback from our customers and stakeholders who have played an integral part in shaping our plans as we deliver a network for net zero.”

SSEN Transmission is currently welcoming feedback on its Whole System Annual Report which is hosted on a brand-new Whole System Hub, providing clear and accessible information on our whole system approach and the projects where it is being implemented. To read the report and share your views, please click here.